MP adds voice to fears about geothermal plan

NORTH Cornwall's Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire has added his voice to growing local concerns about a proposed geothermal power plant in his constituency.

- LEE TREWHELA Local Democracy Reporter

A Cornish company, Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL), has applied to Cornwall Council to develop a deep geothermal renewable energy scheme at Tregath, between Slaughterbridge and Camelford.

The project involves a phased development with drilling of two deep geothermal wells and resource testing before the construction of a power plant. The drill rig mast expected to be used would be a maximum of 55 metres (182ft) in height.

The plant is planned to be operational for 50 years and would supply surplus electricity to the National Grid, with a gross generating capacity of around 4.9MW of electricity and around 20MW of thermal energy - the equivalent of powering and heating more than 11,000 homes.

However, local residents - and now their MP - are concerned about its effects on a sensitive site. They have questioned possible Chinese investment in the scheme, asking if it is a front for lithium extraction.