Rachael Maskell MP meets energy Minister to discuss Deep Geothermal Energy for York
Source: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/sustainability/campus-operations/climate-action/geothermal-energy/news/york-mp-energy-vision/ Parent: https://www.york.ac.uk/
Posted on 16 February 2026
Rachael Maskell MP and University of York leaders have shared a vision for transforming energy in York.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell and University of York project leaders met with Energy Minister Lord Whitehead to share their vision for future energy (Image: Office of Rachael Maskell MP for York Central)
Building on the £40m investment partnership between the Government and the University of York to develop Deep Geothermal Energy, the MP and project leaders Paul Bushnell and Matt Thompson met with the Energy Minister Lord Whitehead to discuss how we can decarbonise and provide cheaper energy for the city through district heat networks sourced by deep geothermal heat.
The University is at the cutting edge of this new technology and will be undertaking major work to bring its first area of deep geothermal heat on stream in record time. However, the MP and project leaders believe that this should only be the first phase of a bigger vision for decarbonisation of heat and energy across the city and are working on a long-term plan for the city.
Deep geothermal energy can be expensive to set up, but once connections are made to the aquifers deep underground, then it is cheap to run and distribute, completely sustainable and can be transformative.
The Minister was very interested in the work of the University of York and the opportunities they are opening for our city, and a blueprint for how locations along strong geothermal sources of heat and energy can be harnessed elsewhere. Lord Whitehead was a pioneer of deep geothermal heat in his own city of Southampton and understood the real potential that the University of York’s work could have for Labour’s ambition to decarbonise commercial and domestic properties.
There will now be some follow up work with the Department for Energy and Net Zero.
Rachael Maskell MP says,
“I know the importance of deep geothermal energy for the future of York’s heat and energy provision, and how we, as a city, can be leaders in taking heat from the ground to people’s homes, services and businesses. Embarking on a city-wide geothermal heat journey will result in cheaper bills for residents and cleaner energy for all. I really valued the Minister’s engagement and look forward to working with him on our ambition.”
Charlie Jeffery, Vice Chancellor, University of York says,
"We enjoyed meeting the Minister to update him about the progress we are making with our deep geothermal project. We want to help the UK significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and inspire a new generation of sustainable energy experts. It was a great opportunity to talk about our plans for the University and how it can benefit the energy security of the City, the region and the UK as a whole."
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