Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL), owner and operator of the United Downs power plant, which started exporting power to the grid in February 2026, has successfully secured new funding from the UK government as part of the competitive DRIVE35 funding programme.
Delivered by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and Innovate UK, the DRIVE35 programme supports innovation, scale-up, and industrial transformation within the automotive sector.
The Scale-up Feasibility Study grant funding will accelerate GEL’S expansion of lithium extraction at the United Downs facility. The water brought to the surface contains over 340 parts per million (ppm) of lithium, making it one of the highest concentrations found in any well to date in the world. GEL aims to scale its production to over 18,000 tonnes per annum over the next decade, enough for around 250,000 EV batteries a year – 65% of the UK’s 2024 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) registrations.
Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) from geothermal brines is increasingly seen as a sustainable, low-carbon method to produce lithium for electric vehicle batteries. Combining DLE with geothermal power generation allows for a smaller environmental footprint and lower operating costs.
As demand for electric vehicles and energy storage continues to grow, it is increasingly important to secure sustainable, domestic sources of critical minerals like lithium. Strengthening onshore supply will be key to building a more resilient and low-carbon battery supply chain.
Ryan Law, CEO of Geothermal Engineering Ltd, said: “We’re already proud to be delivering the UK’s first commercial-scale lithium production at United Downs.
“This funding marks an exciting step forward as we continue to scale and strengthen a reliable, low-carbon domestic supply of lithium in what is a significant milestone for both Cornwall and the UK.”
The first plant will deliver 3MWe of baseload electricity which is being sold via Octopus Energy to power around 10,000 UK homes and 100 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate.
Lithium extraction by GEL is one of a number of projects that will be funded by the DRIVE35 programme. APC chief executive officer Ian Constance commented: “These projects demonstrate the UK’s determination to lead the shift to zero-emission mobility. By facilitating the UK Government’s DRIVE35 grants, we are turning world-class innovation into industrial capability.
“With our partners in DBT and Innovate UK, we are backing manufacturers, empowering SMEs, and strengthening the UK’s sovereign supply chain.”
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