GT Energy and E.On to develop UK geothermal

• 11 years ago (2012-07-04)
• Junior Isles

Europe 1061 North America 998 Renewables 752

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GT Energy and E.On have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a new wave of urban geothermal power plants in the UK.

E.On, one of the UK's largest energy companies, is working on plans to develop five new deep geothermal heat and distribution systems with Ireland-based, geothermal technology specialist, GT Energy.

Deep-geothermal technology is well suited to urban settings where the resulting heat can be easily distributed to a variety of buildings in the area.

Full details on the planned projects are yet to be released, but the company has indicated that work on the first project, located in north-west England, is now scheduled to begin before the end of 2012.

This partnership reinforces E.On's position as one of the UK's leading providers of district heat systems, a technology identified as a major growth area by the company's Sustainable Energy division.

"E.On is a recognised leader in the delivery of district heating schemes and I'm delighted to be working with GT Energy to design, build and operate the district energy network as well as helping the customers who connect," said Michael Woodhead, managing director of E.On's Sustainable Energy business.

"Schemes like these help us reduce our carbon emissions and can help cut customer bills. This scheme is just one of a number that we are delivering across the UK and is part of our commitment to change the way energy is created and used in the UK."

GT Energy’s involvement follows a decision to increase investment in the UK in order to take advantage of the newly launched ‘Renewable Heat Incentive’, which guarantees developers payments for the renewable heat that they generate.

The UK currently boasts only a handful of deep geothermal power plants, though a number of new projects are under construction, including a new geothermal power plant in Cornwall and a geothermal heat facility in the centre of Newcastle.

E.On and GT Energy claim that studies show the UK has the potential to produce 100 GW of geothermal energy, particularly in the south-west, north-west, and north-east.