– Eden Project’s Biomes, offices, and new state-of-the-art plant nursery were heated by deep geothermal energy this winter
– 5 km well on the Eden Project site began generating heat in June 2023
– Geothermal energy allows for longer seasonal growth of produce and experimenting with exotic crops
The Eden Project’s Biomes, offices, and new plant nursery were heated by deep geothermal energy this winter, marking the first use of this technology in the UK since 1986. The 5 km well on the Eden Project site, operated by Eden Geothermal Ltd, began generating heat in June 2023 and started supplying heat during the colder winter months. This geothermal energy is expected to save up to 500 tpy of carbon dioxide and significantly reduce the need for gas heating.
In addition to heating the Eden Project’s facilities, geothermal energy is a key component of the new Growing Point nursery, which showcases regenerative sustainability and circular systems. Regenerative sustainability focuses on making things better rather than just doing less harm, while circular systems involve reusing, recycling, and regenerating materials to minimize waste. The nursery harvests rainwater and utilizes heat from the earth to grow plants for the Eden Project’s gardens, restaurants, and shop.
This geothermal heat source allows the Eden Project to extend its growing season and experiment with exotic produce that would typically need to be imported. The project aims to achieve net zero emissions and become climate positive by 2030. The use of deep geothermal energy represents a significant step towards these goals and demonstrates the organization’s commitment to sustainable practices.