Published: 22 August 2025
By: Robert Buluma
Cornwall at a Crossroads: Energy Opportunity or Environmental Risk?
Slaughterbridge, Cornwall – A decision that could have marked a major leap toward renewable energy in Cornwall has been put on pause. Cornwall Council has deferred its judgment on a proposal by Geothermal Engineering Ltd to drill into the hot rocks beneath Slaughterbridge, near Camelford. While the initiative promises clean energy and economic growth, concerns over environmental risks have left the project on hold—for now.
What’s on the Table?
The heart of the plan, known as Tregath Geothermal, is ambitious: tapping into underground thermal heat to supply about 4.9 MW of renewable baseload electricity to the National Grid. Supporters say it would reduce Cornwall’s reliance on fossil fuels, create jobs, and inject roughly £2 million into the local economy.
Sound appealing, right?
Fear Beneath the Surface: What Are Locals Worried About?
Locals—and some council members—aren’t entirely convinced. Key concerns include:
- Contamination of Water Sources: Residents warn that drilling could bring up geothermal fluids containing heavy metals like lithium, arsenic, and mercury, potentially polluting a tributary of the River Camel.
- Environmental Disruption: Andrew MacLeod, the landowner near the site, called the plans “ridiculous” given the proximity to sensitive waterways.
- Noise, Seismic Activity, Disruption: Others, including David Stark, fear the project may involve three to five years of construction-related chaos, including noise, pollution, and even minor (but still worrying) seismic activity.
- Protected Environment: Sonia Parsons added poignantly: "We’re all in favour of eco-energy but it’s a protected environment and we feel the risks are sufficient to say this shouldn’t be going ahead.”
Council’s Call for Caution
At its strategic planning meeting, Cornwall Council concluded that the current technical data wasn’t enough. With a vote of 6–3, members decided to postpone a final verdict pending clearer, more accessible information.
Despite objections, the Environment Agency had already expressed confidence that suitable planning conditions could mitigate water-related risks—but it also stressed that if contamination were detected, the project must stop until a remediation strategy is in place.
Geothermal Potential: Is Cornwall Sitting on a Gold Mine?
Cornwall might be uniquely suited to geothermal development.
The British Geological Survey (BGS) explains that Cornwall’s geothermal gradient—hotter rock temperatures per kilometer—makes it significantly easier (and cheaper) to reach usable heat compared to other parts of Britain. At around 35 °C per kilometer, Cornwall’s subsurface is richer in thermal energy than the 26 °C per kilometer found elsewhere.
As Dr Alison Monaghan of BGS notes, “The conditions are there so the industry could grow in Cornwall.”
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?
The pending questions are simple yet critical:
- When will the council revisit this? A future meeting is scheduled, though no date has been set.
- Will more data change minds? Will additional environmental studies or clearer presentations of risk ease concerns—or intensify them?
- Is this a model for Cornwall? If resolved successfully, could Cornwall become a leader in UK geothermal energy—and a blueprint for balancing green energy with environmental stewardship?
Related: GEL to operate first UK Geothermal power plant
Final Thoughts
Cornwall’s geothermal plan exemplifies the delicate tension between innovation and caution. It offers hope—clean baseload power, local economic gains, and reduced carbon dependence. Yet it also surfaces valid concerns: protecting water and ecosystems, ensuring community safety, and maintaining trust in development processes.
As Cornwall Council approaches its next step, one thing is clear: to forge a sustainable path forward, transparency, rigorous data, and community dialogue aren’t optional—they’re essential.
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