Residents Against Geothermal Engineering in Penhallow

‘Green Energy’ project …. Think Again!

Evidence to support the above claim and provide transparency

What You’re NOT Being Told About This Development

⚠️ THINK AGAIN: THIS GEOTHERMAL PROJECT IS NOT “GREEN” ⚠️

🚫 GREENWASHING – NOT GREEN ENERGY

Geothermal Energy Ltd are presenting this as a “green project” — but the facts don’t add up:

  • Diesel-powered drilling for 2 qty 4.5km wells
  • No confirmed use for the hot water
  • No current grid capacity to export electricity
  • Only ~5MW output (if it could even connect)
  • Likely a stepping stone to lithium extraction — increasing environmental risk

⚠️ UNREGULATED & HIGH-RISK

  • Deep geothermal drilling is largely unregulated in the UK
  • Risks comparable to — or greater than — fracking
  • Fracking was halted… so why is this allowed WITHOUT REGULATION!?

Known risks include:

  • Induced earthquakes (seismic activity)
  • Groundwater contamination
  • Long-term well failure
  • Toxic waste handling issues

🌍 ENVIRONMENT AT RISK

  • Continuous 24/7 drilling for up to 9 months
  • 55m industrial rig dominating the landscape
  • Waste lagoons and heavy industrial infrastructure

Local impacts:

  • Risk to Perranporth Beach via contaminated streams
  • Threats to wildlife and sensitive landscapes
  • Site located in a Candidate Area of Great Landscape Value

🏠 IMPACT ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES

  • Homes located right next to the site
  • Potential Groundwater contamination – bore holes and springs used in businesses and residential property
  • Noise, light pollution, and 24-hour disruption
  • Heavy goods vehicle traffic – No proper transport assessment

🏺 HERITAGE & HISTORY IGNORED

  • Bronze Age archaeological site discovered
  • Grade II listed building just 300m away
  • Cultural and historical impacts overlooked

🏛️ SERIOUS GOVERNANCE CONCERNS

Cornwall Council is:

  • The landowner
  • A commercial partner
  • The planning authority

➡️ This raises serious concerns about bias and accountability

  • Previous planning breaches ignored
  • Local residents’ concerns dismissed
  • Parish Council forced into legal action over withheld information

❗ NO FULL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

  • Cornwall Council decided NO Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required
  • Despite expert advice from Natural England saying:
    “Further consideration is required”

➡️ Risks are not fully understood or assessed

💰 WHO PAYS IF IT GOES WRONG?

  • Weak regulation = unclear responsibility
  • Potential environmental damage could fall on:
    ➡️ Cornwall Council (public money)
  • Developer is a foreign-controlled company
    ➡️ Compensation may be difficult or impossible to recover

🛑 THIS PROJECT IS NOT READY

  • Unclear benefits
  • Significant risks
  • No proper environmental assessment
  • Community concerns ignored – Pseudo ‘Community Engagement’ such as this event, that does nothing to address concerns.

📣 HAVE YOUR SAY

Don’t let this be pushed through without proper scrutiny.

Ask questions. Demand transparency. Protect our environment and community.