GT Energy, leading the way in the generation of renewable heat in the UK and Ireland, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with E.ON UK, one of the UK’s leading power and gas companies, to develop five new deep-geothermal heat and distribution systems.

Under the terms of the partnership, the two companies will collaborate on five projects to tap into the heat that occurs naturally only a few kilometres underground, providing a reliable source of clean energy for homes and businesses. Work on the first of the five projects, located in the North West of England, will begin this year.

Geothermal plants are uniquely suited to an urban setting, where energy demand is at its densest. Just one acre is required for construction and drilling of boreholes, and once this initial phase is complete, a plant’s impact on its surroundings is minimal - all that exists after construction is a small facility to house the well heads.

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GT Energy’s agreement with E.ON is part of a shift in focus to UK operations, stimulated by the UK government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) programme. GT Energy was founded in Ireland and has undertaken a number of early projects in the country, including securing planning permission for Ireland’s first geothermal electricity generation plant.

Padraig Hanly, managing director of GT Energy, said: "We are delighted to sign this agreement with E.ON, and together we look forward to harnessing some of the UK’s huge potential for clean geothermal energy. Britain and Ireland are both striving for the same thing: a safe future where our energy needs can be met in a clean, affordable and responsible manner. Central government backing in the UK is already making a huge difference to a fledgling industry. The UK’s Renewable Heat Incentive is a welcome and positive step towards that better future."

(CD)