A £450,000 project will explore whether water from disused mines has the potential to play a vital role in supplying Wales’ energy needs for years to come. Wales’ mines were crucial in firing up the industrial revolution but once abandoned the pumps that kept them dry were often switched off and the mines filled with water.
Climate change Minister Julie James has confirmed the funding would allow the Coal Authority to investigate whether this water, which is heated by geological processes, could be used to heat homes, businesses, and industry across Wales. The project will look at all the coal field areas in Wales and will result in a National Mine Water Heat Opportunity Map, covering all mine water heat options including new borehole schemes as well as existing shafts, mine water treatment schemes and discharges. It will then be possible to use the opportunity map alongside other datasets to identify the most promising sites for mine water heat to connect to existing buildings and new developments. Sites will be mapped to give a high-level assessment of where the best potential lies with more detailed feasibility studies carried out on those considered to have the most realistic likelihood to connect to existing buildings and new developments.
Approximately 40% of the energy used in Wales provides heat to homes, businesses, and industry. Most of this heat comes from gas but by 2025 there will be no gas connections in new build homes in Wales to support decarbonisation efforts. Mine water is a low-carbon and sustainable heat source, which could compete with public supply gas prices and deliver carbon savings of up to 75% compared to gas heating, NorthWalesLive reports.
Gareth Farr, head of heat and by-product innovation at the Coal Authority, said: “Mine water from disused coal mines can be used to support heat networks, providing secure low-carbon heat to buildings. We look forward to working with the Welsh Government on this first-of-a-kind project to highlight the opportunity for such technology, creating a green future for Wales’ former coalmining areas.” Ms James added: “Improving the energy efficiency of homes is essential as we front up to the climate emergency and build a stronger, greener, and fairer Wales. To get there we need to think innovatively and ensure we meet out renewable energy needs of the future so I’m looking forward to hearing what the Coal Authority discover as part of their work. It’s very exciting that communities could be metres from a technology-ready alternative to traditional heating methods that could help us towards our journey to a Net Zero Wales by 2050.”
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