Pit moves closer to heating homes
Wearmouth Colliery could once more be providing the energy to heat homes across Sunderland – almost 30 years after it closed.
Plans to develop the country’s largest mine water source heat network are moving forward in the city, with the thumbs-up set to be given to appoint contractors to undertake viability studies.
Thecollierycouldsoonprovide a low carbon heat source if borehole drilling, set to be commissioned by Sunderland City Council, confirms it can support the energy needs of properties in the area.
Itisunderstoodthecolliery began filling with water when operations ceased in 1993.
Nowthecouncil’scabinetis set to green light a £1.6million project – subject to Government funding from the Green Heat Networks Fund Transition Scheme - that will see a specialist contractor engaged to drill pilot boreholes some 600m below ground.
Once the initial drilling work is carried out, further studies will be undertaken to determine whether heat extracted from the former mine workings could support the new homes being developed on Riverside Sunderland as well as other buildings across the city.
If so, it would be a major milestone in achieving the council’sambitiontobecarbon neutral by 2030 and the city’s target of being carbon neutral by 2040.
It is thought the scheme could save upwards of 4,100t ofcarbondioxideayear–a70% carbon saving against gas.
CouncilleaderCllrGraeme Miller said: “We know that the city has assets that we can explore to deliver more sustainable energy, and we’re very interested in how geothermal energy from the mineworks mightplayaroleinmeetingthe needs of the city in the future.
"It’saground-breakingproject,butonethat–withpartner support – could deliver huge advantages for the city.”
Arangeofpartners,including South Tyneside and SunderlandNHSFoundationTrust and the University, could deliver more sustainable power supply year-round.
Richard Bond, innovation and engagement director for the Coal Authority, said: “This is a low carbon, sustainable option which could heat hundreds of homes and several community buildings in Sunderland.
"There are several projects in Britain now progressing and each one has the potential to offer significant benefits to communities living on the coalfieldsandhelpachieveNet Zero targets.
“We are delighted Sunderlandisseizingthisopportunity tohelpimprovethelivesofpeople living in the area and contribute to their wider mission to be carbon neutral by 2040.”
Early modelling shows plans to put in place 8.1km of insulated pipe, which will extend as far east as the University of Sunderland’s St Peter’s campusandwestwardstoSunderland Royal Hospital.
Projectionssuggestthatthe colliery could have the capacity to support with the energy needs of hundreds of buildings.
Cllr Miller added: “Local Authorities have a key role to play in making heat networks succeed and we’re keen to play ourpartincreatingamoresustainable Sunderland.
“Given our focus is on what is best for the city – not just short-term commercial returns – we can ensure that carbon reduction and alleviation of fuel poverty are key drivers in our application of this network, should viability studies show it is an option.”