Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL) has been granted planning permission by Cornwall Council to construct a geothermal power plant at Manhay in the parish of Wendron, UK.
The Manhay project, GEL’s third site in Cornwall, is set to begin in late 2023 and will take approximately 3 years to complete.
Once completed it is expected to produce 5MW of electrical energy 24/7 and 20MW of thermal energy.
The Manhay site will be similar in construction to GEL’s United Downs project, featuring two deep wells. The production well will reach a depth of approximately 4,500m to bring hot geothermal fluid to the surface, while the reinjection well, which will be around 3,000m deep, will be used to return cooled fluid underground after it has been used to generate electricity.
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Ryan Law, Managing Director of Geothermal Engineering Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be adding this additional site to our deep geothermal portfolio. The three sites we have received the Planning for will be able to power over 35,000 homes. This is alongside providing heat energy for local homes and businesses and attracting important inward investment that will bring with it the potential for new jobs for the local Cornish communities”.
Based on electricity generation alone, the project is expected to provide a lifetime carbon emissions saving of more than 700,000 tonnes of CO2 compared to an equivalent gas baseline.
Matthew Clayton, managing director at Thrive Renewables, and investor in the United Downs project, said that geothermal energy can transform how we generate electricity and supply sustainable heat all year round and no matter the weather.
“It’s great to see approval of a third project, with each one contributing to the future UK energy mix by helping to stabilise and secure the power coming from other renewable sources such as onshore wind and solar. The UK has only scratched the surface of the challenge of transitioning to renewable heat supply. Tapping into the geothermal heat source is a positive stride forwards,” said Clayton.
