United Downs Geothermal Power Station Begins Generating Electricity

Cornwall has become home to a UK first after Geothermal Energy Lithium (GEL) switched on the country’s first deep geothermal power station today, Thursday 26th February 2026.

From its United Downs site, GEL is now generating electricity 24 hours a day from heat drawn more than 5km beneath the ground. At the same time, the company has begun commercial-scale production of zero-carbon lithium carbonate at the same location.

24/7 Power From Beneath Cornwall

The United Downs plant is delivering what GEL says is the UK’s first ever geothermal electricity from deep geothermal resources.

Octopus Energy has signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement to buy at least 3 MW of constant, weather-independent power from the site. The electricity is expected to supply around 10,000 UK homes.

At United Downs, water heated to more than 190°C, the hottest recorded in the UK, is brought to the surface from the deepest well ever drilled on UK soil at over 5km. The heat is used to generate electricity around the clock, regardless of weather conditions.

After power generation, the mineral-rich fluid is processed to extract lithium before being reinjected underground in a closed loop system.

GEL says it has two further deep geothermal sites under development in Cornwall, which are expected to deliver an additional 10 MW of baseload power by 2030.

According to the British Geological Survey, more than 200 GW of thermal heat hot enough to generate power could be produced from onshore geothermal sources in Great Britain, equivalent to over 100 nuclear power stations.

First Commercial Zero-Carbon Lithium Plant

In another UK first, GEL has started commercial-scale production of zero-carbon lithium carbonate at United Downs.

From February 2026, the plant has capacity to produce up to 100 tonnes per annum. The geothermal water contains more than 340 parts per million of battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent, described as one of the highest concentrations of lithium in the world.

Over the next decade, GEL aims to scale production to more than 12,000 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate equivalent, enough to supply around 250,000 electric vehicle batteries each year. Notes issued with the announcement state that the average EV requires 47.4 kg of lithium carbonate equivalent.

The company says domestic lithium production will support the UK automotive sector and help meet 2027 Rules of Origin requirements, reducing the carbon footprint of battery storage.

Political and Industry Reaction

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

“We have the right economic plan to build a stronger and more secure economy – cutting the national debt, creating the conditions for investment and growth in every part of the country, and cutting the cost of living. That’s why I took £150 of costs off household energy bills at the Budget and ramped up investment in new, clean energy projects and infrastructure.

“This pioneering project is a huge opportunity for Cornwall to unlock investment, drive economic growth, support jobs, and establish the region as a vital player in Britain’s energy security.”

Dr Ryan Law, CEO of GEL, said:

“We are proud to be at the forefront of this landmark step for the UK, generating electricity and lithium by harnessing the resources beneath our feet. This is a huge advancement for geothermal power in the UK and the beginning of our expansion plans. Geothermal energy and critical minerals extraction are naturally complementary as they share the same subsurface resource. The hot, mineral-rich fluids that generate clean electricity can also be processed to recover strategic materials like lithium carbonate. Therefore, collocating power and mineral extraction plants maximises investment in the wells, minimises subsurface disruption and accelerates the transition to secure domestic supply in both critical sectors. The United Downs plants prove we can do this in a way that benefits the climate, communities, and the economy.”

Dr Alan Whitehead, Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, said:

“The UK’s first ever geothermal power is a groundbreaking moment for UK energy innovation, powering thousands of homes with clean, homegrown power. With zero carbon lithium now being produced here in the UK, British businesses are leading the way in securing the materials needed to power the next generation of electric cars.”

Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy, added:

“Bills are still too high, and the answer is more homegrown, renewable energy. For the first time, we’re bringing deep geothermal power to British homes – a clean, constant energy source right beneath our feet. Projects like United Downs show how the UK can cut bills and carbon by tapping every ounce of our renewable potential.”

Investment and Backing

The United Downs plant was developed in partnership with Exergy International, which has supplied more than 500 MW of geothermal capacity worldwide.

GEL is backed by Kerogen-CX and Thrive Renewables plc. Support for lithium development has come from the UK Government’s Automotive Transformation Fund.

Jason Cheng, CEO of Kerogen-CX, said the project marked “a major milestone for UK geothermal” and described the sector as being “at an inflection point”.

Luca Pozzoni, Deputy CEO of Exergy International, said the company was honoured to be selected for the project and hoped to become “a long-term and stable part of the local industrial landscape”.

Further information is available on the GEL website at https://gel.energy/key-information/geothermal/.