Geothermal Energy for Local Authorities

Local authorities across the UK are under growing pressure to decarbonise heating infrastructure, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and meet statutory carbon reduction targets. Heating accounts for a significant share of local emissions, particularly in relation to public buildings, social housing, and community facilities. Geothermal energy presents a technically viable and economically stable solution to these challenges, offering long-term, low-carbon heat supply at predictable prices, that can be integrated into both new and existing networks.

Star Energy provides full turnkey geothermal solutions to local authorities, regional partnerships, and public-sector delivery bodies. Our offering spans feasibility studies, regulatory approvals, drilling, construction, and long-term operations and maintenance. We support projects from early-stage opportunity identification through to final commissioning and performance monitoring.

Meeting Strategic Decarbonisation Goals

Heat decarbonisation is a key element of local authority net zero strategies. Unlike many other renewable sources, geothermal heat provides a constant, weather-independent thermal base load that can replace or reduce gas usage in civic buildings, leisure centres, schools, hospitals, and housing estates.

Star Energy works in partnership with local authorities to develop geothermal solutions aligned with regional energy plans, Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) frameworks, and funding strategies such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) and the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF). Our systems are designed to be future-ready, with capacity for expansion and interconnection with other clean energy technologies.

Geothermal systems are particularly valuable where local authorities are already investing in district heating, energy centres, or retrofit heat network upgrades. We design geothermal heat sources that can connect directly into these schemes, either as the primary supply or as part of a hybrid model with other renewables.

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Site Assessment and Feasibility

Local authority sites—especially civic campuses, leisure parks, and urban regeneration areas—often present favourable conditions for geothermal development. Star Energy undertakes detailed site feasibility assessments, incorporating geological screening, heat demand profiling, and infrastructure analysis.

We assess subsurface resource potential using geological datasets, legacy seismic and borehole data, and where appropriate, undertake new surveys such as geophysical imaging or seismic reprocessing. Our feasibility studies include full thermal modelling, system design concepts, and indicative commercial structures. Where public buildings are clustered, or where heat networks are planned, we assess opportunities for shared infrastructure. This enables multiple assets to benefit from a centralised geothermal plant, improving economies of scale and carbon reduction potential.

 

Planning and Regulatory Engagement

Geothermal energy projects fall under a complex regulatory framework involving planning permissions from the local authority, environmental permitting from regulators, and abstraction and reinjection licensing from the Environment Agency, as well as potential traffic and noise impacts during drilling phases. Star Energy manages these processes in-house, engaging early with relevant bodies including local planning authorities, the Environment Agency, and the Health and Safety Executive.

We prepare and submit pre-application enquiries, EIA screening requests, and full planning submissions, working to align consent pathways with project timelines and funding windows. Our experience with local authorities ensures a collaborative and compliant approach to statutory engagement, including public consultation and community engagement where required.

Integrated System Design for Local Use Cases

Local authorities typically manage a wide mix of building types, operational profiles, and legacy systems. Our engineers develop geothermal system designs that reflect the operational needs of these assets, integrating low-temperature heating circuits, modular energy centres, and smart control systems for efficient demand management.

We account for seasonal variation, building occupancy patterns, and retrofit constraints when specifying heat exchangers, thermal storage, and control logic. Where multiple buildings or facilities are to be served from a central plant, we develop hydraulic separation and metering strategies to allow for individual energy use tracking and billing. Our systems are compatible with existing BMS platforms, and we provide remote monitoring tools that allow estates teams to track performance, detect faults, and optimise efficiency in real-time.

Procurement and Funding Strategy Support

Public sector procurement is subject to strict compliance and value-for-money obligations. Star Energy supports local authorities by providing detailed cost modelling, funding alignment, and delivery structures that comply with public procurement regulations.

We are an approved delivery partner under multiple national and regional frameworks, and have extensive experience supporting bids and applications to funding bodies such as BEIS (now DESNZ), the Greater London Authority (GLA), and the Scottish Government.

Where appropriate, we also explore long-term heat offtake models under Energy Supply Agreements (ESAs), enabling local authorities to purchase heat without the need for up-front capital investment. This model de-risks the project and aligns with long-term estate management plans.

Case Study Integration and Experience

Our work with Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, supported by the Carbon Energy Fund (CEF), provides a strong example of our approach in the public sector. This project, which began in 2023, has involved full feasibility studies, seismic data acquisition, and pre-application engagement with regulatory authorities to enable a geothermal heating solution capable of supplying approximately 30GWh of heat annually. The Trust is now progressing towards the planning and permitting phase, with construction expected to begin in late 2025. The Salisbury project demonstrates how geothermal energy can support long-term decarbonisation of public assets through technical rigour, structured delivery, and stakeholder collaboration. These same principles apply when working with local authorities on similar large-scale heat opportunities.

Long-Term Value and Legacy

Geothermal energy infrastructure delivers value over decades, supporting carbon budgeting, cost control, and local employment. Once operational, a geothermal plant typically operates with minimal emissions, low maintenance requirements, and predictable output for over 40 years.

For local authorities seeking long-term solutions to climate commitments, fuel poverty, and infrastructure resilience, geothermal energy provides a dependable and scalable option. Star Energy supports lifecycle planning, asset integration, and futureproofing from the outset—ensuring that each geothermal system we deliver serves not only today’s estates but the communities of tomorrow.

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A depth of knowledge & experience in the Geothermal arena gives us the edge over competitors

Ross Glover, Chief Executive

Our strategy is to create value for shareholders, employees and communities by being a leading operator of oil and gas assets, renowned for operational excellence and strong safety standards.

Ross Glover, Chief Executive

Geothermal energy is an ideal solution to the urban deployment of renewable energy, geothermal energy.

Ross Glover, Chief Executive

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