How does the circuit fill up?
As far as I know this is not used widely (if at all), but it should work if your ground connection is close to substation's ground and the soil is conductive enough.

The reason why it is not seen so often is that if the soil dries out you will be left with no electricity at all or very bad connection that appears and disappears randomly.

I suppose it can be used in a land where the soil is always wet to save some money on wires and stuff, but I would call that a bad idea to do...