European funding secures geothermal energy for Penzance’s Jubilee Pool

Penzance’s Jubilee Pool will be partially heated through geothermal hot water by as early as 2018 thanks to a £1.4m European grant.  The innovative project, which will be run by industry specialists Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) working with the local community, is the first of its kind in the country.

The pool has recently undergone a major repair and renovation project following the winter storms in 2014.  Whilst the majority of Jubilee Pool will maintain its refreshing temperature, visitors can look forward to enjoying a heated section of the pool.

The £1.4m European Regional Development Fund grant will enable GEL to drill and develop a geothermal well on the site. Private investment has also been secured for this stage of the project leaving approximately £500,000 funding still to be found for the final works to the iconic structure.  It is hoped that the outstanding balance for this exciting plan will be secured with the support of fans of the project through a fundraising campaign.

Whilst a ground breaking and innovative project like this does have high initial costs, once installed, hot water bills and concerns about fluctuating energy prices will become a thing of the past.  In addition, geothermal energy is clean energy and so emissions of greenhouse gases are drastically reduced.  Also, the learning and expertise gained from this project can then be exported elsewhere giving Cornwall the chance to be a leader in geothermal technology and installation.

It is hoped that this project will allow the pool to be open for a longer season which will improve its sustainability and provide significant economic benefits for the wider community of Penzance.

Ryan Law, Geothermal Engineering Limited said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for us in Cornwall. Jubilee Pool will be the first deep geothermal heat project in the UK for over a quarter of a century.  We hope that the project will help to promote both the pool as a destination in itself and deep geothermal energy across Cornwall and beyond. ”

Martin Nixon, Chair of The Friends of Jubilee Pool, said: “My brother Charles initially proposed heating a section of the pool with geothermal energy over five years ago, so I’m very excited to see his fantastic idea move closer to reality.  I’m confident it will be hugely popular locally, and that tourists from across the world will flock to Penzance all year round to experience this unique facility. The resulting economic benefits to Penzance should be significant.”

Mike Lovegrove, Mayor of Penzance, said “following on from the significant efforts to relaunch the Jubilee Pool after the storm damage of 2014 I am personally excited by the potential for this innovative project to extend the operating season of a small section of the pool into both late spring and early autumn.

Should the project be delivered successfully and realise its indicated potential – It will help promote the Jubilee Pool and Penzance in a new way, at the forefront of the implementation and use of green technologies.”

Notes to editor

Jubilee Pool

The Jubilee Pool renovation project funding information: The Coastal Communities Fund granted Cornwall Council £1.95m as part of a project totalling £2.94m. Match funding has also been provided by Cornwall Council, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership’s Regional Growth Fund, Tempus Leisure, the Friends of Jubilee Pool, and Penzance Town Council.

Geothermal Energy Limited

Geothermal Engineering Limited design, develop and install systems to harness geothermal energy below the Earth’s surface to generate low or zero carbon heat and electricity projects.

Website – www.geothermalengineering.co.uk

European Regional Development Fund

The project is receiving up to £1.4 m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.  The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

Image

Artist’s impression of a heated section of Jubilee Pool.

Image credit – Nixon Design