Home to the first of only two licensed spaceports in Europe, Cornwall is a hot spot for autonomous and future flight testing. Spaceport Cornwall’s operational site at Newquay (which includes an innovation centre and rocket integration facility) is complemented by one of the UK’s largest – and only independent test sites, situated off the region’s most southerly point. Wholeship offers a range of 5,500km of airspace over land and sea, from surface to 55,000 feet. This MoD-owned area and airspace is perfect for testing autonomous air systems Beyond Visual Line Of Site (BVLOS) – like drones and other aerospace innovations.
Access to segregated airspace and world-leading space expertise has led to Cornwall’s global recognition as a leader in environmental intelligence—monitoring the environment and the impact of climate change through drones and other BVLOS. A growing cluster of space businesses has allowed the region to inspire the next generation, becoming the first location in the country to offer degree apprenticeships in Space Operations.
Cornwall is on the cusp of major change as demand for its expertise in green innovation increases. More and more regional companies are using satellite data to provide enhanced environmental monitoring and solutions key to expanding their business offer, which means a growing end-user base for the space sector.
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Cornwall took its geothermal ambitions to Westminster, where Perran Moon and Sir Alan Whitehead joined industry leaders to highlight its potential for clean, reliable energy and critical minerals—while calling for stronger UK policy to accelerate the sector.
A new £30 million fund has been launched to support businesses in the critical minerals, renewable energy, space and marine innovation sectors that can drive the next phase of Cornwall’s economic growth.
Cornwall, UK – 26 February 2026 – From today, Geothermal Energy Lithium (GEL) is delivering the UK’s first ever geothermal electricity 24/7 from its United Downs plant in Cornwall, marking a huge breakthrough for the nation’s renewable energy mix and for UK geothermal power. Octopus Energy has signed a long-term deal to purchase at least 3 MW of constant, weather-independent power from […]
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