Eden Project Achieves Sustainable Milestone with Geothermal Heat

The Eden Project, renowned for its iconic Biomes, has made history by heating its facilities using deep geothermal energy for the first time in the UK since 1986.

This groundbreaking development, implemented by Eden Geothermal Ltd, marks a significant milestone in the UK’s renewable energy sector.

The Power of Geothermal Energy

The geothermal well, located on the Eden Project site, began generating heat in June 2023. As winter set in, it started supplying heat to the Biomes, offices, and a newly constructed state-of-the-art plant nursery and education hub. This well is the UK’s first operational deep geothermal well in nearly four decades.

Si Bellamy OBE, Chief Transformation Officer at the Eden Project, highlighted the importance of this development, stating, “We are working with and for nature to develop new ways to grow and new ways to encourage people to think differently about plants, the planet and themselves.”

The geothermal technology is expected to save up to 500 tonnes of CO2 annually, reducing the Eden Project’s reliance on gas. This reduction is comparable to the carbon emissions of heating 227 UK homes with gas, bringing the organisation closer to its goal of becoming climate positive by 2030.

Growing Point: A Beacon of Regenerative Sustainability

The new plant nursery, named Growing Point, exemplifies regenerative sustainability and circular systems. Constructed from light, recyclable materials, it utilises rainwater and geothermal heat to cultivate plants for the Eden Project’s gardens, restaurants, and shops. The facility incorporates materials from past landslips and excavated stone, significantly lowering its carbon footprint compared to traditional glasshouses.

Spanning 6,500 square metres, Growing Point is the largest physical development at the Eden Project since the Core building’s opening in 2006. It boasts the capacity to propagate and care for one million plants annually, supporting the Eden Project’s diverse living collections.

Additionally, the facility supplies geothermally-grown produce to the Eden Project’s restaurants, enhancing the menus with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Exotic produce such as bananas, papayas, and lemongrass are now grown on-site, extending the growing season and reducing the need for imports.

Educational and Community Impact

Growing Point also serves as a hub for education and community engagement. The facility includes advanced laboratories and teaching spaces for Eden Project Learning students, developed in partnership with Cornwall College and funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund. The Eden Project Learning initiative offers a range of horticulture, sustainability, and ecology courses, from Foundation Degrees to Masters.

Furthermore, Growing Point is the new home of the National Wildflower Centre and the CHAOS Group. The National Wildflower Centre works on transforming lands across the UK with wildflower planting, enhancing biodiversity and community well-being. The CHAOS Group, a Community Interest Company, provides horticultural and work projects for adults with physical and emotional needs, offering a supportive environment to develop skills and grow produce for the Eden Project’s restaurants.

This innovative use of geothermal energy at the Eden Project represents a significant advancement in sustainable practices and educational opportunities, setting a new standard for environmental stewardship and community involvement.

For more information on the Eden Project’s climate-positive journey, visit www.edenproject.com.