ON THE UP US emissions from fossil fuels rose 3.8% in 2010, but could fall this year


DATA


before another increase in 2012. The Short Term Energy Outlook from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said that increased electricity production driven by high temperatures and a higher than usual consump- tion of gas by heavy industry were the primary reasons behind the rise. The EIA said that it expects far less fossil fuel consumption in the electricity sector during this year.


Geothermal plant gets go-ahead


EGS Energy plant to be based at Eden Project


A revolutionary new power plant that will draw its energy from deep below the earth’s surface has been given the go-ahead by Cornwall Council.


Planning permission for EGS Energy’s geothermal plant at the Eden Project was given after a period of consultation with the community that received an over- whelmingly positive reaction. Work on the plant, which is based on Cornish ‘hot rocks’ technology, will begin later this year, with electricity to be pro- duced in the second half of 2013. The plant will be situated on the north side of the Eden Project site at Bodelva, near St. Austell. The plant, the first of its kind in the UK, is due to produce up to 4MW of electrical capacity for use by Eden, with the surplus going in to the National Grid. Heat produced by the plant will be used to provide warmth for the Eden Project Biomes.


DEFRA QUESTIONED The plant will be situated on the north side of the Eden Project site


“Here in Cornwall, the UK’s natural home for geothermal activity and where there is a world class geothermal resource, there is a great opportunity for EGS Energy to deploy the experience and skills of its leading team of experts,” said Guy Macpherson- Grant, EGS’s managing director. “In establishing this pioneering plant, they will be building on their success in this field else- where in Europe, benefiting the local community along with the rest of the country.”


Eden’s energy manager, Matt Hastings added: “We’re in the early stages of a massive project which we hope will be the catalyst for a series of geothermal power plants throughout Cornwall. “If all goes according to plan,


EGS


technology will provide well-needed resilience to the Cornish power grid while also helping to meet the daunting national challenge of a six-fold increase in renewable electricity and a 22-fold increase in renew- able heat by 2020.”


MPs from the Environment Audit Committee (EAC) have recommended that the Government removes Defra’s responsibility for sustainable development in government. An EAC report argues that the Cabinet Office should take over the task of monitoring and reducing the Government’s environmental impact because Defra does not have the influence to undertake this role. The report says: “The Government must recognise that Defra is not in a position to be able to make departments act more sustainably.”


The EAC began an inquiry after the Government withdrew funding for the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC). The Committee will pro- pose that a new role should be created for a minister in the Cabinet Office with responsibility for sustainable development.


BRIEFS £21M WORTH OF GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE TO COUNCILS TO HELP THEM PROTECT AND SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITIES AGAINST FLOODING www.sustainablebusinessonline.com Sustainable Business | February 2011 | 7


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