Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government, Baroness Sharon Taylor of Stevenage, has visited the Mining Authority’s Dawdon mine water treatment scheme to see how mine water heat will power 750 low-carbon homes, a pioneering step for sustainable heat.
Photo: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage inside Dawdon mine water treatment scheme
The mine water heat network is a collaborative effort between the Mining Remediation Authority, Karbon Homes, Esh Group, Vital Energi, and Durham County Council.
The House of Lords Minister for both housing delivery and net zero and energy efficiency also viewed the first of the homes which will be connected to the system.
The warm mine water scheme will provide low-carbon heating for 750 homes at the nearby Seaham Garden Village development.
The mine water heat network is a collaborative effort between the Mining Remediation Authority, Karbon Homes, Esh Group, Vital Energi, and Durham County Council.
Karma Harvey, acting innovation and services director at the Mining Remediation Authority, said:
“Seaham Garden Village is a pioneering example of how we can repurpose Great Britain’s mining legacy to deliver real benefits for communities today. By harnessing geothermal energy from disused mines, we’re creating a low-carbon heating solution that could be replicated nationwide. This project highlights the power of collaboration and innovation in unlocking new sources of clean, affordable heat.”
Image credit: Karbon Homes
Paul Fiddaman, chief executive at Karbon Homes, commented:
“Making use of the currently untapped heat from the disused mines under our feet to keep houses warm, is something we’re really proud to be involved with, and paired with boasting a range of energy efficiency technologies, like solar PV panels, the new homes we’re delivering at Seaham Garden Village will be well on the way to net zero.”
Granted garden village status by the UK Government in 2019, Seaham Garden Village will be built over the next ten years, delivering 1,500 homes, a village centre, a primary school, and a health and wellbeing hub.
The MRA said the landmark project proves how mine water heat networks can provide affordable, sustainable heat for homes across the country and it was looking forward to scaling the game-changing technology to more locations.