From concept to commission: Eversheds Sutherland helps deliver UK‑first geothermal and lithium project

The delivery of this project represents a truly defining moment for one of the UK’s most ambitious renewable energy projects.

 

The commissioning follows circa 18 years of close collaboration between Eversheds Sutherland and GEL, during which the global law firm has supported the company through every stage of the project’s evolution - from early concept and site development, through regulatory, planning and financing challenges, to delivery and operation.

 

The Cornwall facility is the first-of-its-kind in the UK. It combines deep geothermal energy generation with lithium extraction, unlocking a new domestic source of clean energy and battery‑grade lithium while supporting the UK’s net zero and energy security ambitions.

 

Eversheds Sutherland acted as lead legal adviser to GEL, with the relationship led throughout by Partner and International Head of Corporate Finance, Stephen Hill, with senior support from Charlie Wright (Senior Consultant, Konexo). Stephen and Charlie have worked alongside GEL over nearly two decades as the project navigated technical complexity, regulatory change and market uncertainty.

 

The firm’s other core team members comprised Partners Ben Brown and Tom Birchall, Principal Associate Sacha Bacco, Senior Associates Kate Arthur and Anoop Lall and Associate Martin Pinnington.  

 

Stephen Hill, Partner and International Head of Corporate Finance, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

 

“To see this project reach commissioning after 18 years is immensely rewarding. From the outset, GEL’s ambition was bold and long‑term, and it has required patience, resilience and absolute clarity of purpose to bring it to fruition. We’re proud to have supported the business through every phase of that journey and to have played a role in delivering a project that has genuine national significance for clean energy and critical minerals in the UK.

 

“This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a client and adviser work together consistently over the long term, adapting to change while staying focused on the strategic objective – an incredible team effort.”

 

Ryan Law, CEO of Geothermal Engineering Limited, said:

 

“Eversheds Sutherland has been with us from the very beginning, and their support over the past circa 18 years has been fundamental to the success of this project. Having legal advisers who understood both the vision and the realities of what we were trying to achieve made a critical difference.

 

“Stephen, Charlie and the team have shown an exceptional level of commitment, commercial understanding, and technical excellence. The commissioning of the Cornwall plant is a landmark moment for GEL, and Eversheds Sutherland has been an integral part of getting us here.”

 

The Cornwall geothermal project is expected to play a key role in demonstrating the viability of UK‑based deep geothermal energy and lithium production, supporting regional economic growth while contributing to the wider energy transition.