The UK’s first heat network using a geothermal source is to be built at the Langarth Garden Village near Truro, thanks to more than £22 million awarded by the government.
Hot granite rocks beneath Cornwall will for the first time be used to supply clean energy for local homes and facilities, allowing them to ditch costly fossil fuels for more stable bills.
The ground-breaking project, run by Cornwall Council, will provide power and heat for 3,800 homes in the village – as well as the Royal Cornwall Hospital, local schools and a leisure centre.
Langarth Heat District Network is one of seven projects across England to be awarded a total of £91 million from the government today, in its biggest drive yet to fund cleaner ways to heat and power buildings.
The move is expected to boost the UK’s energy security and independence, while delivering on the government’s commitment to grow the economy – with the Langarth scheme expected to create 100 new, skilled jobs locally.
Lord Callanan, minister for energy efficiency and green finance, said: “The UK is a world leader when it comes to reducing carbon emissions – but we must continue to push the boundaries to reach our net zero goal.
“That’s why we are investing £288 million into new innovations, like this project in Langarth where the UK’s first deep geothermal heat network will give thousands of homes, schools and a leisure centre access to cheaper, cleaner energy.
“It forms part of our energy revolution – creating hundreds of new jobs for our ever-expanding green economy.”
The allocations form part of a £288 million government package that will roll out new heat networks across the country and provide a cut to carbon emissions equivalent to taking 5.6 million cars off the road for a year.
Cornwall’s new heat network is set to be ready by 2026, drilling to a depth of 5,275 meters to extract heat from the granite beneath the United Downs Industrial Site.
Councillor David Harris, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for resources, said: “The Green Heat Network Fund award will contribute to the success of Langarth Garden Village and Cornwall Council’s mission to work with communities for a carbon neutral Cornwall, where everyone can start well, live well and age well.
“This heat network will be a concrete example to others around the United Kingdom of how local and national government working together with the private sector can make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Heat networks operate by unlocking large-scale renewable and recycled heat – from sources such as large rivers and industrial waste – that would otherwise be inaccessible. These methods provide a cost-effective way to cut carbon emissions and reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels for heating and electricity.
The funding, announced by the government last week, will pave the way for low-carbon technologies – like heat pumps, solar and geothermal energy – to be delivered at scale and established as a central source of energy in this country.