Simple. Build 10,000MW of geothermal power capacity. Problem solved.

This would mean:

• no longer need any coal-fired power generation (or coal mining)
• natural gas-fired power generation phased out
• existing natural gas infrastructure available for transition to use for hydrogen and carbon sequestration
• power industry becomes effectively 100% zero emissions with time - geothermal & nuclear baseload plus mix of onshore/offshore wind, hydro, solar
• cost of electricity no longer hostage to natural gas imports and global price swings of hydrocarbons
• energy security 24/7 for all of UK

So what is stopping the UK doing this? Answer: nothing.

Proven geothermal resource. Technology now exists to extract heat and power from all depths. Costs will fall dramatically when geothermal developed at scale - as happened with wind and solar.

Where is a good place to start?

One option is to drill around 3,000 deep wells, each to around 6km deep to tap the heat for power generation. These wells would access deep heat with bottom hole temperatures in a range of typically 150-200 Centigrade.

At an average cost of US$ 10 million per well, this would require up to US$ 30 billion over time. This is completely within the capability of the drilling and engineering services sector.

(By way of cost benchmarks, London Crossrail US$ ~25bn+, NHS Test & Trace US$ ~50bn+, HS2 rail US$ ~100bn+).

The deep heat solution can solve the UK's zero carbon heat and power challenge. Over time, accessing this deep heat would eliminate the need for carbon-rich sources of power generation and heat. The solution has a small non-polluting footprint. Aggressive build-out of offshore wind power, adding small and large scale nuclear, upgrading hydro, adding solar and introducing other renewables would continue.

Do the skills exist? Of course. The UK has world leading engineers, manufacturing and services. And world leading universities. And centuries of subsurface data and expertise.

What is needed now in the UK? Inspired leadership and action...

Mr. Chris Sladen runs an advisory service offering insights to inform, shape a decision, and guide the next steps for energy ventures. Chris has a unique global experience having worked in the energy sector of over 40 countries. This is underpinned by extensive knowledge of petroleum systems and where best to find oil and gas, notably in the Gulf of Mexico & nearby areas, and NE & SE Asia, as well as the development of midstream, downstream & renewables investments in many emerging economies. Chris has extensive experience acquired on the Boards of companies, subsidiaries, business chambers & organisations. Chris has a career of over 40 years in the energy sector, living in Mexico (2001-2018), Russia, Vietnam, Mongolia, China & UK.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Reconnoitre