On 26 February GEL started delivering the UK’s first ever geothermal electricity 24/7 from its United Downs plant in Cornwall, marking a huge breakthrough for the nation’s renewable energy mix and for UK geothermal power. Octopus Energy has signed a long-term deal to purchase at least 3 MW of constant, weather-independent power from United Downs – enough to supply 10,000 homes.
GEL has two other deep geothermal sites currently under development in Cornwall which will deliver a further 10 MW of base-load geothermal power in the UK by 2030. The British Geological Survey has calculated that more than 200 GW of thermal heat, hot enough to generate power, could be produced from onshore geothermal sources. That is the equivalent of over 100 nuclear power stations.
In another UK first, GEL has started commercial scale production of zero-carbon lithium carbonate, the key raw material used in the production of rechargeable batteries, including those that power electric vehicles and energy storage systems. From its February 2026 starting point, GEL the plant has the capacity to produce 100 tonnes per annum.
The geothermal fluid at United Downs that is used for the power plant comes from the deepest well ever drilled on UK soil at over 5km deep well. The water brought to the surface contains over 340 parts per million (ppm) of battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) making it one of the highest concentrations of lithium in the world. GEL aims to scale its production to over 18,000 tpa over the next decade, enough for circa 250,000 EV batteries a year – 65% of the UK’s 2024 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) registrations.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: 'We have the right economic plan to build a stronger and more secure economy – cutting the national debt, creating the conditions for investment and growth in every part of the country, and cutting the cost of living. That’s why I took £150 of costs off household energy bills at the Budget and ramped up investment in new, clean energy projects and infrastructure.'
'This pioneering project is a huge opportunity for Cornwall to unlock investment, drive economic growth, support jobs, and establish the region as a vital player in Britain’s energy security.'
The new power plant is a triple win for the UK:
- New source of home-grown, baseload renewable power: Delivering onshore access to 24/7 baseload power from previously untapped renewable resources, reducing our reliance on imported balancing power to support wind and solar.
- Critical mineral security: Domestic lithium supply supports the UK automotive sector and meets 2027 Rules of Origin requirements, dramatically reducing the carbon footprint of battery storage.
- Energy pricing security: Delivering clean power benefits and increased price stabilisation directly to British households.
Dr Ryan Law, CEO of GEL, said: 'We are proud to be at the forefront of this landmark step for the UK, generating electricity and lithium by harnessing the resources beneath our feet. This is a huge advancement for geothermal power in the UK and the beginning of our expansion plans. Geothermal energy and critical minerals extraction are naturally complementary as they share the same subsurface resource. The hot, mineral-rich fluids that generate clean electricity can also be processed to recover strategic materials like lithium carbonate. Therefore, collocating power and mineral extraction plants maximises investment in the wells, minimises subsurface disruption and accelerates the transition to secure domestic supply in both critical sectors. The United Downs plants prove we can do this in a way that benefits the climate, communities, and the economy.'
Dr Alan Whitehead, Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: 'The UK’s first ever geothermal power is a groundbreaking moment for UK energy innovation, powering thousands of homes with clean, homegrown power. With zero-carbon lithium now being produced here in the UK, British businesses are leading the way in securing the materials needed to power the next generation of electric cars.'
Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy, added: 'Bills are still too high, and the answer is more homegrown, renewable energy. For the first time, we’re bringing deep geothermal power to British homes – a clean, constant energy source right beneath our feet. Projects like United Downs show how the UK can cut bills and carbon by tapping every ounce of our renewable potential.'
At United Downs, GEL has drilled to over 5 km deep to tap into naturally heated water exceeding 190°C – the hottest recorded in the UK. The heat generates electricity 24/7, regardless of weather. After power generation, the fluid is processed to extract battery-grade lithium carbonate before being reinjected underground in a closed loop. The United Downs plant was developed in partnership with Exergy International, the Italian technology provider behind over 500 MW of geothermal capacity in operation worldwide, supplying its advanced power plant technology to deliver the UK’s first commercial-scale geothermal electricity. GEL is backed by Kerogen-CX and Thrive Renewables plc, with support for lithium development from the UK Government’s Automotive Transformation Fund.
Jason Cheng, CEO of Kerogen-CX, said: 'United Downs is a major milestone for UK geothermal and a strong validation of our investment strategy. We believe the sector is at an inflection point and are committed to scaling it across the UK and Europe. Geothermal represents a compelling opportunity to drive economic growth while advancing systemic decarbonisation and advancing the energy transition. With rapid expansion underway across Europe and multi gigawatt onshore potential in Great Britain, the UK has a clear opportunity to scale a secure, always-on source of domestic renewable heat and power.'
Luca Pozzoni, Deputy CEO of Exergy International, commented: 'We are honoured to have been selected for this pioneering project, which contributes to decarbonisation while bringing added value to the region. Looking ahead, we hope to become a long-term and stable part of the local industrial landscape, building strong partnerships and supporting the growth of geothermal energy in the UK.'
Source: GEL
