Cornwall seeks to lead UK geothermal growth with UK FORGE proposal
With the UK FORGE proposal, the UK seeks to leverage on geothermal innovations made in the US to held develop the local geothermal sector.
Cornwall Trade and Investment has made a proposal for a UK FORGE (Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy) programme that seeks to pull together the industry, buyers, and government to shape a full business case for investment into the UK geothermal sector and harness the UK’s potential for geothermal energy.
The proposal was launched on 19 December 2025 at Eden Geothermal with support from MPs Perran Moon, Jayne Kirkham and Noah Law alongside individuals from across industry. It aims to build on the innovations made in the US that have revolutionised deep geothermal, making it significantly more financially viable and increasing the energy outputs from wells.
“I firmly believe geothermal presents a significant opportunity for Cornwall and the wider UK. Cornwall has the expertise and the experience, and alongside the advances made in the US, there is real potential to develop this industry,” said Perran Moon, MP for Camborne, Redruth, and Hayle. “Geothermal could provide high quality local jobs and help meet the rising energy needs, and I’m delighted to be part of launching this new proposal and increasing awareness of its potential to make a difference.”
Geothermal energy can provide both renewable power and heat, and can also be combined with lithium extraction. It has the potential to generate more than 2 GW of power at 4.5 kilometers depth, which ca supply around 6 million homes. It is also scalable, making it a potentially significant response to the UK’s growing demand for power, in particular with the growing need for AI and data centres.
Leveraging on advancements made in the US
“Since 2023, the Eden Project has been heating its Biomes, Growing Point plant nursery and education centre, and offices with heat sourced from geothermal energy. Our 5.3km well was the first deep geothermal well to come online in the UK since 1986, so we were delighted to host the launch of the UK FORGE proposal,” said Gus Grand, CEO of Eden Geothermal.
“The opportunities with geothermal are real, and the impressive advancements made in the US increase the commercial viability of deep geothermal.”
Cornwall is home to the UK’s most advanced deep geothermal projects and both the South West and North East of England have significant geothermal potential.
UK Geothermal projects have stalled in the past due to high costs, long drilling times and modest outputs – it took around 100 days to drill 3.5km at the Eden Geothermal site and United Downs. But the significant innovations made in the US increase the viability to harnessing UK Geothermal – this year FERVO, a US geothermal company drilled to 4.8km in just 16 days.
The proposal for UK FORGE sets out the opportunity for UK Geothermal and seeks support for research and development of a full business case.
Source: Email correspondence