Roman Bath-style heating could turbocharge levelling up

Roman Bath-style heating harnessed from underground rocks could be used to help level up parts of the country, the Government has said.

Retrieving heat from rocks via water pipes placed 3.5 miles deep into the Earth could provide enough energy for two million homes a year by 2050, according to a report commissioned by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister.

The report found that six of the areas best suited to geothermal technology have been prioritised by the Government in its levelling up agenda.

The technique artificially replicates the effect of naturally occurring hot springs, such as those used in Roman Baths, by drilling into aquifers to access heat deep underground.

Cold water is sent through a bore hole drilled between 1-6km deep and returned hot through a second bore hole nearby.

“This mother earth is a heat battery,” said Prof Jon Gluyas, from the Durham Energy Institute, who contributed to the report.

The Prime Minister said the Government would now consider a bigger role for deep geothermal technology in helping to cut heating pollution from the UK’s 28 million homes, which accounts for around 17 per cent of the country’s total emissions.

“The findings on how developing this technology overlaps with opportunities to level up really add to our understanding of the possible benefits,” said Mr Sunak.

Grant Shapps, the Energy Security Secretary, said: “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.”

The report said Government support would be necessary to boost the industry, which could be cost-competitive with nuclear, one of the most expensive forms of low-carbon energy.

The geology in much of the north and west of the UK make deep geothermal technology easier and therefore cheaper to introduce, said Mr Gluyas.

“The geology is amenable because of the layering of different rock types, some of which are good at transmitting fluids,” he added.

Cornwall, for instance, is considered an attractive location because its 300 million year old granite brings heat closer to the surface.

A scheme to provide deep geothermal heating for the Eden Project in Cornwall was temporarily halted last year after an earthquake during testing.

Geothermal heat from rocks nearly three miles below the surface is intended to be used to heat the Eden Project’s biomes, greenhouses and offices.

Installing deep geothermal would involve new infrastructure and pipes, and could contribute 35,000 jobs by 2050 in terms of plant maintenance, according to the report.

France, Germany and the Netherlands are in the process of developing their geothermal energy infrastructure. It also provides around two-thirds of Iceland’s energy needs.

“Deep geothermal energy is heating more than 250,000 homes in Paris and many more across Europe,” said Kieran Mullan, the MP for Crewe and Nantwich.

“It is a clean, green, reliable resource that we have fallen behind in making use of.”