A campaign has launched a campaign promoting Cornwall’s "vital role" in the UK’s dash for net zero power.
As net zero power comes into focus nationally The Power of Cornwall showcases the Duchy has a green energy powerhouse, capable of driving the UK's energy transition through critical minerals like lithium and tin, offshore wind resources, geothermal energy and biofuels.
Last week, (June 19) the Eden Project switched on what is said to be the UK’s first operational deep geothermal heating system in 37 years. It will heat Eden’s iconic biomes and a new nursery using energy from 5km underground.
The new campaign includes a short film featuring and narrated by broadcaster and journalist Simon Reeve. It has been devised by Cornwall Trade and Investment (CTI), which promotes the county as a business destination, and highlights Cornwall's natural resources and investment opportunity in the move away from fossil fuels.
Read more: Hinkley Point C supply chain scheme secures £180m for South West firms
CTI director Nicola Lloyd said: “We want to open people’s eyes to the scale of opportunity that exists in Cornwall to support the energy transition, using our natural capital to power the nation and create quality local jobs.”
The campaign is also backed by the business-led Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.
Its chief executive Glenn Caplin-Grey said: “Billions of pounds of investment is flowing into green technologies and the energy transition. Cornwall is starting to reap that investment because we have some of the best natural resources in Europe, including offshore wind and the granite beneath our feet. But we want to attract more.”
The Power of Cornwall campaign will run through the summer and includes a series of investment films highlighting different sector opportunities, an investment prospectus, digital billboards across key commuter routes in London and national editorial pieces aimed at potential investors.
At the beginning of this month (June 1) Falmouth company Tugdock said it had designed the “world’s first” road transportable floating dry dock, which enables offshore renewable energy assets to be launched and assembled at ports which lack sufficient water depth and assembly space. The company landed an agreement with US supply chain solutions firm Crowley, which will explore potential use of the platforms in locations such as the American West Coast.
In addition, industry leaders in Cornwall have called for floating windfarms off the coast, which could unlock green growth and create thousands of jobs, if power is landed directly in Cornwall. It is estimated 70% of the UK’s grid needs could be met by the potential resources in the Celtic Sea zones around Cornwall alone.
Cornish Metals, which owns South Crofty, Cornwall’s last working tin mine before it closed 25 years ago, has secured £40m towards restarting tin production by 2026.
These are just some of the initiatives being highlighted in The Power of Cornwall campaign.
Why not sign up to get the latest South West business news straight to your inbox.
