The Deep Geothermal Energy Fund, administered by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), will be open to applications until 29 October.

Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, says: “Deep geothermal energy is a real hot prospect as we dig deeper for new technologies that cut carbon emissions and provide home-grown power.

“Geothermal power from the South West alone could provide up to two percent of the UK’s electricity needs. Offering this funding will give UK-based innovators a chance to get their projects off the ground and into our energy mix”.