Jan 9, 2026
Cornwall aims to spearhead geothermal development in the UK with its UK FORGE initiative.
Cornwall Trade and Investment has proposed a UK FORGE (Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy) initiative aimed at uniting industry stakeholders, buyers, and the government to develop a comprehensive business case for investment in the UK geothermal sector, tapping into the nation's geothermal energy potential.
Launched on December 19, 2025, at Eden Geothermal, the proposal received backing from MPs Perran Moon, Jayne Kirkham, and Noah Law, along with representatives from various industries. The initiative seeks to build on transformative innovations from the US that have made deep geothermal energy much more financially feasible while enhancing the energy production from wells.
Perran Moon, MP for Camborne, Redruth, and Hayle, expressed, “I truly believe geothermal offers a major opportunity for Cornwall and the wider UK. With Cornwall's expertise and experience, combined with advancements in the US, there is genuine potential to grow this industry. Geothermal could create high-quality local jobs and help address rising energy demands, so I’m thrilled to support this new proposal and raise awareness of its potential impact.”
Geothermal energy can deliver both renewable electricity and heat, and it can also be integrated with lithium extraction. There's potential to generate over 2 GW of power at a depth of 4.5 kilometers, sufficient to supply approximately 6 million homes. Its scalability makes it a viable solution to the UK’s increasing energy needs, particularly with the surge in demand from AI and data centers.
Commenting on advancements in the US, Gus Grand, CEO of Eden Geothermal, stated, “Since 2023, we've been using geothermal energy to heat the Biomes, Growing Point plant nursery, education center, and offices. Our 5.3km well was the first deep geothermal well activated in the UK since 1986, so we were pleased to host the UK FORGE proposal launch. The possibilities with geothermal are substantial, and the significant progress in the US enhances the commercial prospects of deep geothermal energy.”
Cornwall hosts the UK’s most developed deep geothermal projects, with both the South West and North East of England showing considerable geothermal potential.
UK geothermal projects have previously faced challenges due to elevated costs, prolonged drilling times, and modest outputs—drilling 3.5km at the Eden Geothermal site and United Downs took around 100 days. However, significant innovations in the US have improved the feasibility of harnessing UK geothermal energy; for instance, FERVO, a US geothermal firm, drilled to 4.8km in just 16 days this year.
The UK FORGE proposal outlines the opportunities for geothermal energy in the UK and seeks support for research and development of a comprehensive business case.
Launched on December 19, 2025, at Eden Geothermal, the proposal received backing from MPs Perran Moon, Jayne Kirkham, and Noah Law, along with representatives from various industries. The initiative seeks to build on transformative innovations from the US that have made deep geothermal energy much more financially feasible while enhancing the energy production from wells.
Perran Moon, MP for Camborne, Redruth, and Hayle, expressed, “I truly believe geothermal offers a major opportunity for Cornwall and the wider UK. With Cornwall's expertise and experience, combined with advancements in the US, there is genuine potential to grow this industry. Geothermal could create high-quality local jobs and help address rising energy demands, so I’m thrilled to support this new proposal and raise awareness of its potential impact.”
Geothermal energy can deliver both renewable electricity and heat, and it can also be integrated with lithium extraction. There's potential to generate over 2 GW of power at a depth of 4.5 kilometers, sufficient to supply approximately 6 million homes. Its scalability makes it a viable solution to the UK’s increasing energy needs, particularly with the surge in demand from AI and data centers.
Commenting on advancements in the US, Gus Grand, CEO of Eden Geothermal, stated, “Since 2023, we've been using geothermal energy to heat the Biomes, Growing Point plant nursery, education center, and offices. Our 5.3km well was the first deep geothermal well activated in the UK since 1986, so we were pleased to host the UK FORGE proposal launch. The possibilities with geothermal are substantial, and the significant progress in the US enhances the commercial prospects of deep geothermal energy.”
Cornwall hosts the UK’s most developed deep geothermal projects, with both the South West and North East of England showing considerable geothermal potential.
UK geothermal projects have previously faced challenges due to elevated costs, prolonged drilling times, and modest outputs—drilling 3.5km at the Eden Geothermal site and United Downs took around 100 days. However, significant innovations in the US have improved the feasibility of harnessing UK geothermal energy; for instance, FERVO, a US geothermal firm, drilled to 4.8km in just 16 days this year.
The UK FORGE proposal outlines the opportunities for geothermal energy in the UK and seeks support for research and development of a comprehensive business case.