Geothermal Engineering is a Cornish geothermal and lithium developer looking to take advantage of the region’s natural resources to create a unique opportunity in the UK’s renewable landscape.

Founded in 2008, it intends to generate both heat and electricity by the end of 2024. It will be the first geothermal energy project in the UK, following in the footsteps of other European nations such as Iceland and Italy that have long used the technology for their energy needs.

Its plan is to produce circa 280GWh of electricity and 90GWh of heat. In addition, its lithium project aims to produce approximately 23,000 tonnes a year of lithium.

Lithium is produced in several countries around the world, with Australia, China, and Chile being among the major producers. Cornwall has immense natural resources but is not a producer yet.

The company plans to install binary power plants for electricity generation. These use hot brine to vaporize a working fluid that drives the turbine and generator.

Its lithium mining operation will use a process called direct lithium extraction (DLE). Unlike traditional methods of lithium extraction which use large evaporation ponds, DLE uses wells to bring brine to the surface.

The team at Geothermal Engineering is led by the founder and CEO Ryan Law. He has worked on the project for over 16 years, having previously worked as a geothermal engineer for Arup. The chairman is American David Poe, who has a number of previous stints in industry.

The chief financial officer, David Bridgland, has been at the company since 2009.

Chief operating officer Tony Wilson is a veteran of the energy sector and formerly worked at Truro-based wastewater treatment firm Nijhuis Saur Industries. Non-executive director Jules van Limborgh.

Funding has come from a variety of sources. Last May, the UK government awarded the company £22m as part of the Green Heat Network Fund.

Prior to that, Geothermal Engineering obtained a £15m investment from Kerogen Capital, which invested £12m, and Bristol-based renewables investment company Thrive Renewables.

Geothermal Engineering is ready to hope to help transform Cornwall into a powerhouse of geothermal energy and lithium production.