Geothermal News

RHI set to move forward following deal in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

One of the few positives to come from the Spending Review on October 20th 2010 was the clear commitment by Government to press on with the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive that will see the UK commit to delivering 12% renewable heat by 2020. The renewable heat incentive allows schools, businesses, social housing providers and individuals to obtain an income from renewable heat technologies such as ground source heat pumps installed on their properties. Tariffs are yet to be set, but a clear deadline of before the end of the year has been put forward with the plan going live in June 2011. Following the “Feed in Tariff” (FiT) scheme popularity and the subsequent scarcity of Solar PV, it is highly recommended that customers wishing to invest in renewable heat get in as early as they can.

For more information, please click on the following link

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Magpie present at a leading ground source heat pump industry conference and call for clearer and more concise information during design and procurement stage of ground source drilling projects

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Magpie highlight the need for expert partners in the ground source energy industry with an article in the leading civil engineering magazine “New Civil Engineer”
May 2009

Read the full details here.





RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Award - Silver
March 2009

Magpie Environmental Drilling Services Ltd. is celebrating winning a RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Award (Silver category). The Silver award will be presented at a special ceremony at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel at the National Exhibition Centre, on Wednesday, May 13. The ceremony will take place alongside the Safety and Health Expo 2009, Europe’s leading annual health and safety at work exhibition.

David Rawlins, RoSPA Awards Manager, said: "Magpie Environmental Drilling Services Ltd. has shown a commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its employees and others". Entering the RoSPA Awards reinforces the message that good health and safety is good for business and clearly demonstrates an organisation’s dedication to improving performance in this crucial area”.

Gary Raffle, Magpie Environmental Drilling Services, Managing Director, said "It is a huge honour to receive the RoSPA Silver Award, this is the first year that we have entered for a RoSPA Award, and to achieve the Silver award straight away is very encouraging". Gary also said “The award scheme reinforces our dedication and investment in health and safety and having excellent health and safety management systems in place".





New Geothermal Operations Manager
October 2008

Kevin Bell has joined Magpie as Geothermal Operations Manager. Kevin is a well known figure in the Drilling Industry and brings with him a massive wealth of experience that ranges from some of the largest geothermal projects in the UK to underground gas storage projects. After being onboard for just a few weeks Kevin is impressing the rest of the Magpie team with his ethos for working, client liaison skills and improving production. The appointment of Kevin pointedly demonstrates that Magpie understands that having the right people is equally as important as having the right machinery.





School gets heat from ground
September 2008

Magpie Drilling are helping to promote the use of geothermal energy by giving a helping hand at teaching school children about renewable energy at the Chad Varah School in Lincoln. Find out more...





Latest addition to the fleet.
April 2008

Magpie are proud to present the purchase of a Comacchio MC1500 to the fleet. The rig was chosen for its flexibility of drilling both closed and open loop wells within the geothermal field and will further boost Magpie’s position within the Geothermal Market.





Prominent Contract Award
January 2008
Eaton Square, Belgravia, London.

Magpie’s services have been retained by Holloway White Allom Limited for the drilling, installation and pump testing of 2 open loop geothermal wells for supplying ground sourced heating and cooling capability at some of Grosvenor’s luxury domestic properties around the square. Following several planning meetings to ensure the project team formed a close working group, initial geophysical surveys to locate deep buried services organised by Magpie have been successfully completed. Works are due to commence in February 2008.





Epsom Contract Award
November 2007
Epsom Race Course, Epsom.

Magpie has been selected to drill, install and test an 18 closed loop borehole field for the new Grandstand development of the world famous Epsom Race Course, home of the Derby. Magpie were selected for their realistic pricing and excellent reputation to carry out the works at one of the premier equestrian facilities in the country. Magpie will be working closely with the Smith Group as their specialist geothermal drilling subcontractor.





Prestigious Contract Award
October 2007
The Lancasters, Lancaster Gate, London.

Magpie’s services have been retained by Woolf Developments Ltd for the drilling, installation and pump testing of 4 open loop geothermal wells at the prestigious “The Lancasters” luxury residential development in Central London. Magpie were selected for their competitive pricing, professional attitude and flexibility during the tender and post tender period. Works are due to commence in the New Year.





New Operations Manager
October 2007

Phil Keeble has joined Magpie as Operations Manager. Phil comes from the MOD where he worked for the Royal Engineers within the Special Team section facilitating the drilling and installation of ground water extraction wells and site investigations around the world. He brings with him many abilities including operational expertise, logistical management and Health, Safety and Environment qualifications. Phil is eager to provide the operational support to our drilling crews on the ground and ensure that Magpies high working standards are maintained during this sustained period of strong organic growth.





New Contracts Manager
August 2007

Michael Moggeridge has joined Magpie as Contracts Manager. Michael, a Geologist by trade, arrives from SLR Consulting, one of the UK’s leading Environmental Consultancies where he spent 7 years working within environmental engineering team. He brings with him a wealth of quality assurance expertise, contractual knowledge and Construction Health and Safety experience that are directly applicable to all of Magpies business areas. Michael is looking forward to the opportunities offered by a company rapidly expanding through organic growth underpinned by its excellent reputation for quality and service.