CREWE'S MP has urged Boris Johnson to invest in sources of geothermal energy.

The Prime Minister was questioned by Crewe and Nantwich's representative, Kieran Mullan, at Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament today (Wednesday).

Crewe is one of six areas in the UK identified by the British Geological Survey as having the potential to exploit the potential of deep geothermal energy.

The MP told the PM the UK was missing out on hundreds of millions of pounds of investment because it does not offer a competitive, long-term tariff.

He said deep geothermal would "heat homes, create jobs and level up the UK".

This week has been dubbed 'Geothermal Week' and MPs and industry representatives have been meeting government leaders, including the Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP and Lord Callanan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility.

A Westminster debate on the opportunities that geothermal energy extraction presents was also held this afternoon.

Crewe is potentially one of the best places in the country to tap the energy supply as it is home to a geothermal basin.

The MP says that could be harnessed by energy companies and used as clean source of energy and heat and a breakthrough locally would lead to hundreds of new jobs and investment.

He said: "I have consistently championed deep geothermal as I believe that this technology will help deliver on our agenda to build back better from the pandemic and level up the left behind areas of our country and achieve 'net zero'.

"This new industry could provide much-needed new jobs and investment into towns like Crewe and Nantwich, so I will keep pushing the government to provide the support needed to get these sites up and running."

Cheshire East Council has previously undertaken a feasibility study of setting up a geothermal district heating project in the Leighton area. While a town centre scheme is also among the potential projects that could be funded by Crewe's Future High Streets Fund award.

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) says that thousands of jobs could be created if the government provides the right support to the industry.

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, CEO of REA, said: "Deep geothermal can play a major role in the UK's net zero agenda in the years to come, helping accelerate the decarbonisation of our energy system, but the government needs to provide the catalyst to help get this industry off the ground.

"However, this isn't just an investment for the future, there are significant opportunities on offer now. With the right support, thousands of new jobs and tens of millions of pounds in new investment could be generated in places such as Crewe, Stoke and Manchester.

"If the government gets this right, the UK could produce a world-leading deep geothermal industry."