UK DECC, IEA continue expansion of geothermal power generation

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), together with the International Energy Association (IEA), is continuing to design strategies under the Geothermal Implementing Agreement.

Energy and Climate Change Minister of State, MP Gregory Barker addressed a Deep Geothermal Symposium on 15 October 2012 with focus on the global geothermal energy development.

The vast potential in East Africa’s Rift Valley can possibly enhance energy security for growth and development using deep geothermal resources, according to Barker.

Kenya has a capacity to generate 7,000 to 10,000MW from geothermal source and has already developed 190MW of geothermal power.

IEA reported that the 2050 Technology Roadmap has the potential to produce 1,400TW hours of geothermal electricity a year and to generate 3.5% of global electricity.

International partnerships like the agreement with Iceland have the potential to develop the geothermal energy sector across the globe.

Barker further revealed plants to set up infrastructure to harness both deep geothermal heat and geothermal power.

Recently, DECC has begun implementing strategies to reduce carbon heat and bring down emissions by 80% as part of the Carbon Plan.
"We have proposed a separate and higher tariff for deep geothermal heat – where previously the technology was grouped with ground source heat pumps at a lower tariff. This is a clear statement of our commitment to this technology and to the delivery of our strategic vision for heat," Barker said.