£1.28 Million Boost for Cornwall’s Lithium and Heat Extraction Plans

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme has announced a £1.28 million investment to speed up the development of a project that could extract lithium and geothermal heat from deep underground on Cornwall Council-owned land.

Boost for Jobs and Green Energy

This significant investment aims to accelerate the creation of small-scale modular lithium and geothermal heat extraction plants. These facilities have the potential to support hundreds of jobs, attract millions of pounds in private investment, and reduce carbon emissions across Cornwall.

The Good Growth funding will back a partnership between Cornwall Council and Cornish Lithium Geothermal Limited to develop lithium and heat extraction from geothermal waters using innovative low-carbon technology. The project is the latest move by the Good Growth Programme to support the region’s critical minerals industry on its path to net zero.

Drilling Deep for a Greener Future

The project will involve drilling two exploration wells to a depth of around 1,000 metres, where lithium-rich waters reach temperatures of about 40 degrees Celsius. The geothermal brines brought to the surface will be analysed for lithium concentration, potential flow rates, and water temperature.

If the exploration is successful, Cornish Lithium plans to undertake a comprehensive technical and commercial feasibility study before seeking further private sector funding. This would enable the rapid development of a full-scale lithium and heat production facility.

Jeremy Wrathall, CEO of Cornish Lithium, highlighted the importance of this funding, saying, “This Good Growth investment combined with our collaboration with the Council means we can significantly accelerate and expand our exploration drilling programme to establish the potential for lithium and heat co-production, including on land owned by the Council.”

Ambitions for Multiple Plants

Cornish Lithium aims to establish multiple plants, each employing around 30 staff and producing battery-grade lithium and geothermal heat. This heat could be used for homes, schools, hospitals, and various commercial and industrial buildings across Cornwall.

One of the sites under consideration for providing geothermal heat is Langarth Garden Village, a new development on the edge of Truro. This development will include 3,800 homes, two schools, and a range of sports and leisure facilities over the next 20 to 25 years.

Supporting Local Communities

Cornwall Councillor Dulcie Tudor, member for Threemilestone and Chacewater, expressed support for the project, stating, “There is huge potential for the combined extraction of lithium and heat from deep underground in Cornwall. I welcome the partnership between Cornwall Council and Cornish Lithium to explore how this twin resource can reduce emissions, provide a sustainable source of lithium for the energy transition, and create jobs and investment in our communities.”

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme is a £137 million local investment fund managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Its focus on supporting local businesses and inspiring green, socially responsible enterprise aligns with the goals of this latest investment.