Co-production of geothermal energy and low-carbon lithium

Geo3 aims to unlock Cornwall’s low carbon potential for clean growth.

Renewable energy and low carbon technologies are vital to help combat climate change. Lithium is a key enabler due to its use in battery technologies, for electric vehicles (EVs) and grid storage of energy.

Cornwall is underlain by hot, lithium-enriched granite rocks. The potential to extract  lithium and geothermal energy from  lithium-enriched geothermal waters which circulate naturally represents a major opportunity for Cornwall and the UK. Geo3 is a collaboration between Cornish Lithium Ltd. and Geothermal Engineering Limited.

About the Partners

Cornish Lithium was founded in 2016 and is a highly innovative mineral exploration and development company focused on the environmentally sustainable extraction of lithium from geothermal waters and hard rock in the historic mining district of Cornwall, UK. The Company has secured agreements with the owners of mineral rights over a large area of the County and is using modern technology to re-evaluate the region for low carbon extraction of lithium and other vital technology metals. A secure domestic supply of such metals is considered vital to the industrial strategy of the UK as it moves towards the production of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.

Geothermal Engineering Limited (‘GEL’) was founded in 2008 and is currently developing the first deep geothermal power plant in the UK, a £28m project at the United Downs site in Cornwall. Two deep geothermal wells were successfully drilled in 2019. The project concepts are of European significance and there are currently 27 Universities across Europe linked to it. Extensive and exemplary community engagement / education programme run. Production well is the deepest, hottest well ever drilled in the UK. Depth: 5.275km ─ Temperature: 195 C. Test work is currently under way and the geothermal power plant will be constructed and providing baseload geothermal power by the end of 2021.