Geothermal Grows with GEL

This week’s lunchtime Geology lecture featured a careers talk by GEL and their ground breaking project to build the first geothermal power plant in the UK. The GEL flagship development site at United Downs, located just a few miles southwest of Truro, is now home to the hottest and deepest onshore well in the UK, measuring over 5km deep.

Pupils and Sixth Form students were fascinated to learn about the process of generating geothermal energy, recognising how cross-courses in granite are ideal for geothermal production. They discussed the advantages it could bring to Cornwall and the UK, such as its low carbon impact, ability to operate 24 hours a day, and the surprisingly small above-ground spaces required to run the plants.

Claudia Malman, GEL’s Community Engagement and Education Officer, explained the planning process for developing such a project and highlighted the diverse range of careers within the company, from geologists to civil, mechanical, and chemical engineers, project managers, communication specialists, and business management roles like administration and accounting.

A big thank you to Claudia for sharing this fascinating project with us and for inspiring us all about the future of green geothermal energy in Cornwall.