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Flood water from an abandoned mine in Wales is now being utilized as a sustainable heat source for the first time. A business near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, has initiated the process of extracting water from a nearby mine water treatment facility to warm its warehouse. The Mining Remediation Authority, previously known as the Coal Authority, is working on various similar projects across different parts of Wales. The aim is to position Wales as a pioneer in this approach, although a similar heat plan in Bridgend was abandoned in 2021 due to cost concerns.
Around 25 liters of water are extracted daily from the former Lindsay pit for cleansing before being discharged into natural waterways. In some cases, floodwater accumulated from disused mines can reach temperatures as high as 20C (68F) based on the depth. Business owner Nick Salini, specializing in heat pumps, identified the potential of mine water as a heating source long ago. By utilizing a ground source heat pump, the water with a consistent temperature of 14C to 15C extracted from the mine water treatment plant is compressed to a usable temperature for heating the building. This heating system designed for a specific building can serve up to 10 new properties and is scalable to heat hundreds of homes by tapping into the available energy from underground.
The Welsh government released a mine water heat opportunity map to highlight feasible locations for similar schemes within Wales’ former coalfields. Funding for these projects remains a challenge, even though Innovate UK provided financing for the project in Carmarthenshire. In England, several mine water heat projects are already operational, with the Gateshead project serving over 600 properties and businesses. Gareth Farr from the Mining Remediation Authority expressed optimism about Wales becoming a leader in this field, citing the substantial demand within the coalfield regions of the country and the desire to intertwine the industrial heritage with a green future.
The installation of pipework for the project near Ammanford took two weeks, with developers emphasizing the long-term advantages trumping any initial disruptions. The overarching goal is to inspire and instigate similar initiatives across Britain. The Welsh government does not have a dedicated heat network fund, but alternatives like local energy funding could be explored. Ynni Cymru has introduced a £10m capital fund specifically for smart local energy systems, aimed at fostering innovative energy projects and maximizing local benefits. Developers are encouraged to consider this funding avenue for potential future projects
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