A number of areas in Nottinghamshire have been named as potential locations for underground hot water plants in a new report. In the report delivered to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, Broxtowe, Mansfield, Bassetlaw, Nottingham and Newark and Sherwood have been selected as some of the 45 potential future locations for the plants, which would use natural heat energy found deep underground to heat buildings.
The report, published this week, was conducted by backbench MP Dr Kieran Mullan. He was asked to conduct a review of the potential of deep geothermal energy for the UK by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and asked to continue the review by Rishi Sunak. Scientific analysis by Durham University has identified Nottinghamshire areas that could host a plant.
Previous research has shown that building a network of plants could contribute 35,000 jobs to the economy by 2050. It also identified an overlap of high-potential sites for deep geothermal and areas identified as suffering from deprivation as part of the levelling up agenda, with Bassetlaw in the top six of local authorities found to have the lowest economic resilience.
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Dr Mullan, MP for Crewe and Nantwich said: "In a stark finding, of the top 10 local authorities found to be most in need of levelling up, six are included in the list of high potential locations for a deep geothermal plant and 44 percent of the list of high-potential locations for deep geothermal fall within the top 100 levelling-up locations.
"That is 3 times the amount you would expect as a result of chance. This highlights that investment in deep geothermal is an investment that is likely to contribute to the levelling up agenda which remains a key government priority.
“The remarkable findings about deep geothermal and levelling up were unexpected. But they give us yet another reason to look again at how we can support this technology. Unlike wind or solar this technology provides baseload-it is there constantly. And our expertise in drilling in the North Sea means we are well placed to motor ahead.
"But we have to catch up to do because across Europe there has been much stronger government intervention to support nascent deep geothermal industries in those countries.”
Deep Geothermal energy is a carbon-neutral resource that uses the heat from naturally occurring underground water sources to generate a large amount of usable energy. While used historically via naturally occurring hot springs like the famous Roman Baths, modern technology can allow it to be accessed artificially through drilling into aquifers to access warm water below.
The energy source is already being utilised internationally, generating two-thirds of the energy in Iceland, and contributing to heating homes and businesses in Germany, France and the Netherlands.
Commenting on the report, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We have made rapid progress on switching to homegrown renewable electricity and have made energy security a key priority. Success is going to depend on pulling all the levers at our disposal. I want to thank Kieran for producing this excellent report which will help us consider whether there is a bigger role for deep geothermal.
"The findings on how developing this technology overlaps with opportunities to level up really add to our understanding of the possible benefits and I know Grant will look at this closely.”
Energy security secretary, Grant Shapps, added: "Every renewable has its strengths and weaknesses, and this report highlights how deep geothermal is working well in Europe and how it can potentially contribute in the UK. I welcome this report because I want to be sure we aren’t missing any opportunities here in the UK.
"Thank you to Kieran for championing the cause and producing this work to help us better understand the possible benefits and how we might move forward. This exciting opportunity for Broxtowe could provide energy and employment for years to come and Dr Mullan has written to Council leaders and local MPs to arrange a meeting to discuss how they can take the opportunity forward."
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