Scotland to get its first deep geothermal heating system providing cheap renewable energy

Developers say the heat 'beneath our feet' will help reduce fuel poverty

Volcanoes give a glimpse of the vast amount of energy beneath our feet (AFP/Getty Images)

Scotland’s first deep geothermal heating system – which will use the warmth emanating from the Earth’s magma-filled mantle – is to go ahead after the Scottish Government awarded a £1.8m grant, the developers have announced.

A 2km deep well is to be drilled next year to enable water to be heated by the surrounding rocks, pumped back up again and then into properties in Kilmarnock.

Engineering firm Arup, which is involved in the project, said the renewable energy source would help reduce fuel poverty by providing heating at below market rates to homes being built at the former Johnnie Walker bottling plant, which is being redeveloped.

The site, called Halo Kilmarnock, will also include a new enterprise centre, an urban park, social housing for rent and leisure facilities.

Matthew Free, of Arup, said: “It is fantastic that the Scottish Government is giving such strong support to the development of sustainable, low-carbon energy projects in Scotland.

“There is a substantial geothermal resource beneath our feet and we look forward to developing the first deep geothermal system in Scotland.”

The geothermal project is being developed by Geon Energy, a joint venture between Geothermal Engineering and Arup, and is due to be installed in the first six months of next year.

In a statement, Arup said: “Water heated by the surrounding rock is drawn up from depth using a small pump. The heat is then transferred to water in the heating system.

“This deep geothermal district heating network will supply sustainable, renewable heat for the entire Halo development, including its key worker and social rental housing, addressing fuel poverty in the process by providing heat at below market price.”

The £1.8m grant comes from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme. It is part of a £5.3m grant from the Holyrood administration to make the Halo project low-carbon.

Keith Brown, Scotland’s Environment Secretary, said previously: “As a responsible, progressive nation, Scotland must also continue to demonstrate strong leadership on climate change.

“That is why I’m pleased that the Scottish Government will also be able to support our first new geothermal heating system in almost two decades, allowing local residents to access low carbon energy at an affordable price.”