S2 Ep. 08 What the UK Is Getting Right: Geothermal Energy and Future-Focused Policy
This week’s episode comes from the Eden Project in Cornwall, where Amy Rennison and Fiona Howarth speak to two very different — but equally important — voices in the transition.
First, Augusta Grand, CEO of Eden Geothermal, shares the story of bringing geothermal energy to the UK — from early resistance to wind power through to the realities of drilling, financing and scaling a new energy source. The conversation explores why geothermal has long been overlooked, how rapidly the technology is advancing, and why it could play a critical role in both electricity and heat.
Then, Amy speaks with Jane Davidson, former Welsh minister and architect of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act — one of the most ambitious pieces of sustainability legislation in the world. They discuss how the Act came to life, what it has changed, and how it is now shaping Wales’ approach to long-term decision making and net zero.
Together, these conversations explore two sides of the same challenge: how we move from ambition to delivery — whether that’s building new energy infrastructure or redesigning the systems that govern it. If the transition depends on both technology and institutions, the real question becomes this: how do we align innovation, policy and people to actually deliver change at scale?
In this episode you’ll learn:
What geothermal energy is and why it has been underutilised in the UK
How advances in drilling technology are rapidly improving the economics of geothermal
The difference between geothermal for electricity and geothermal for heat — and why heat matters most
Why countries like France, Germany and the Netherlands are ahead on geothermal deployment
The role of government policy, funding and market design in unlocking new energy technologies
How local energy systems, data centres and grid constraints are shaping future infrastructure decisions
What the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act is and why it is unique globally
The shift from a “duty to promote” to a “duty to deliver” in public policy
How long-term thinking is embedded into Welsh governance across all public institutions
Real-world examples of how the Act has influenced procurement, planning and community outcomes
Why political systems struggle with long-term decision making — and how this can change
How Wales is approaching net zero through a delivery-focused, system-wide plan
The importance of making climate policy tangible, practical and accessible to the public
Resources & Links
Eden Geothermal – Project and research on geothermal energy in the UK
Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) – Framework for long-term, sustainable governance