Mini earthquake halts Eden Project drilling

Scheme to supply Cornwall attraction with geothermal heat paused as locals report ‘frightening seismic event’

A SCHEME to provide heating for the Eden Project in Cornwall from geothermal sources has been halted after a mini earthquake during testing at the site.

Testing at wells on the site – which is located about three miles from St Austell – was stopped after a seismic event of magnitude 1.7 was detected on Wednesday night.

Geothermal heat from rocks 2.7 miles below the surface will be used to heat water that will supply heating for the Eden Project’s biomes, greenhouses and offices, if the project proves successful. The scheme is currently in the well-testing phase, where water is pumped into the rocks so it can be safely run through the naturally fractured granite and pumped out again to provide heating.

Eden Geothermal, the company running the project, apologised for any disturbance, but said the event had not been dangerous.

It said it had stopped operations temporarily in order to assess any damage and ensure there were no further seismic events, but expected to “cautiously” restart operations today.

“This event was many times smaller than anything which could cause damage or pose any danger,” it said.

“However, we understand that it has caused alarm and disruption, and are very sorry for this.” It said that since the start of injection testing in late January, there had been over 300 low level seismic events.

The company added that it operates on levels that reflect the thresholds defined by Cornwall Council for quarry blasting and mining in the local area.

Residents reported feeling their houses shake during the incident on Wednesday night.

Helen Franks said: “It felt like my house had been dropped. It did not feel good. I thought a chimney had fallen, or house crashed into.

“This does not bode well, and does not engender a sense of trust.”

Belinda Waldock, said: “Operations should be immediately stopped not just paused.

“Eden has caused a frightening and significant seismic event in our area that has frightened people, pets and damaged property.”

Kim Cassap Haynes said: “We were told this wouldn’t happen.

“You have a community right on your doorstep that would like answers and full transparency.”

Gus Grand, from Eden Geothermal, told the BBC: “The event last night was just a little bit bigger than the others we’ve been having.

“[It] was a 1.6 magnitude which is very common in the UK.

“We’re not talking about anything that should cause anybody any worry which is why we put out a statement and stopped pumping for the moment.”

The event came as the Government is facing calls to lift restrictions on fracking for shale gas in the UK, which was halted after a 2.9 magnitude quake from a site in Lancashire in 2019.

The fracking industry has argued that different standards are being applied to geothermal projects than to shale gas extraction.

Eden Geothermal hopes its project, which is backed by the EU and Cornwall council, will herald the way for a new renewable and industry sector in Cornwall and the UK.

Cornwall is considered a particularly attractive location for geothermal energy because of its 300 million-yearold granite, which brings heat closer to the surface.

‘It felt like my house had been dropped. This does not bode well, and does not engender a sense of trust’