Eden Project launches deep geothermal heat system

Eden Project co-founder Sir Tim Smit with Eden Geothermal Ltd CEO Gus Grand, with the heating system

The UK’s first operational deep geothermal project in 37 years has been launched at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

The heating system involved drilling a well three miles (4.8km) deep and will supply the world-famous biomes as well as a new state-of-the-art nursery.

The attraction described it as a "landmark moment for renewable energy" and "the start of a new industry for the UK".

It said it was the UK’s first operating deep geothermal heating plant since 1986.

Eden Project Living Landscape team members in the new nursery, heated by the new system

The process of drilling deep into the granite finished in 2021 and the heat main and plant have now been completed.

The measured depth – the actual length of the well – is nearly 3.3 miles (5.3km), making it the longest geothermal well in the UK, the Eden Project said.

The Growing Point nursery will produce all the plants for the Rainforest Biome, Mediterranean Biome Outdoor Gardens and retail, as well as food for Eden's hundreds of thousands of annual visitors.

The project has been delivered by Eden Geothermal Limited (EGL) along with Eden Project Limited (EPL), geothermal development and consultancy group EGS Energy Limited and specialist geothermal developer and drilling advisor BESTEC (UK) Limited.

To fund the research project, EGL secured £24m in funding from the European Regional Development Fund, Cornwall Council and commercial sources.

Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, said: “Geothermal is the sleeping giant of renewables: lying not under our noses, but literally under our feet.

"The Netherlands’ geothermal industry started with heating for greenhouses, and they are now aiming for it to contribute to a quarter of all their heating by 2050.”

Gus Grand, CEO of EGL, said: “This project is a great demonstration, heating a whole rainforest and commercial nursery, with hopefully a distillery on the way.’’

The Growing Point nursery will "reduce food miles and and dependence on fossil fuels"

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