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20.07.12

Manchester geothermal heat network announced

A geothermal energy project has been announced to bring renewable energy for heating to Manchester, it has been announced.

The UK’s largest deep-geothermal heat plant will tap into the natural energy reservoir known as the Cheshire Basin, beneath Manchester. The project is also expected to generate green economy skills and jobs.

The plant will be based on two wells, approximately 3,000m deep in the Ardwick district and the heating network will be used to supply the Oxford Road corridor. It could potentially connect homes, businesses and institutions.

It follows the introduction of the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which offers financial incentives to encourage the development of renewable energy for heating. The RHI can draw on funds of £70m during 2012/13 towards this aim.

Energy and climate change minister Greg Barker said: “This is exactly the sort of innovative green project we want to see sprouting up across the country. This builds on the Coalition’s ambitious heat strategy published in March, and I wish the project every success.”

GT Energy will deliver the plant. CEO Padraig Hanly said: “At present, energy for heating is almost entirely fossil-fuel based, but as geothermal energy is abundant we believe that we can utilise this resource in an economical and efficient way for the benefit of the citizens ofManchester. The RHI is a world leading initiative from theUKgovernment and will boost the development of renewable energy, and GT Energy we will be at the forefront of this.”

Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]

Image c. Pete Birkinshaw under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence

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