Yes, UK has geothermal energy potential though it has to be said it’s unevenly distributed. The UK lacks large-scale volcanic activity (like for instance Iceland), but it does have several viable geothermal resources:
- Deep sedimentary basins (e.g., Cheshire, Wessex, East Yorkshire–Lincolnshire basins)
- Hot dry rocks / granite formations (notably Cornwall)
- Mine water geothermal (especially in northern England and Scotland)
- Shallow ground-source heat, suitable for heat pumps across the country
Most geothermal opportunities in the UK are for heating, not electricity generation.
Key Types of Geothermal in the UK
1. Deep Geothermal (Heat and Potential Power)
- Best prospects in Cornwall, due to hot granites.
- The United Downs Deep Geothermal Project (UDDGP) has demonstrated viable deep heat resources and small-scale power potential.
- Issues: high drilling cost, geological uncertainty, long development timelines.
2. Mine Water Geothermal
This is one of the UK’s most promising geothermal sectors.
- Works by tapping warm water that naturally fills abandoned coal mines.
- Temperatures typically 15–20°C, ideal for district heating networks.
- Major sites in County Durham, Gateshead, Glasgow, Nottinghamshire, and elsewhere.
This is becoming a strategic focus because the UK has hundreds of flooded mines.
3. Shallow Geothermal (Heat Pumps)
- Widely deployable across the UK.
- Uses ground temperatures around 10–12°C with heat pumps.
- Supports domestic heating, commercial buildings, and new housing developments.
- Government incentives encourage adoption (e.g., Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England).
Is the UK Generating Geothermal Electricity?
Only at small scale.
The UK’s geothermal gradients are generally too low for economic power generation, except:
- Cornwall’s hot dry rock systems — experimental or early-stage.
- A few additional deep basins have been studied, but none are commercially generating electricity yet.
Geothermal in the UK is primarily about heating, not power.
Geothermal Hotspots in the UK
- Cornwall — deep granite resources (heat + limited electricity potential)
- South West England — several deep projects under exploration
- Cheshire Basin — large heat resource
- East Yorkshire–Lincolnshire Basin
- Glasgow and Newcastle areas — mine water geothermal
- Southampton — long-running geothermal district heating scheme
Successful UK Geothermal Projects
- Southampton District Energy Scheme — UK’s first commercial geothermal heat project.
- United Downs (Cornwall) — deep geothermal wells for heat and power.
- Gateshead Mine Water Scheme — large district heating network tapping mine water.
- Glasgow Geoenergy Observatory — research hub for mine-water heat.
Future Outlook
Geothermal could become a significant piece of the UK’s:
- decarbonised heating strategy
- district heating expansion
- energy resilience and local supply
Mine water geothermal is likely to scale fastest, because it’s cost-effective and utilizes existing coalfield infrastructure.