Mine Water Heats Carmarthenshire Business Premises
A business near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, has started using flood water from a disused coal mine for renewable heating. The scheme marks the first time mine water heating has been implemented in Wales.
Water from a nearby mine water treatment plant is pumped to the premises daily to heat a warehouse facility. About 25 litres per second is pumped from the former Lindsay pit before being treated and released into nearby waterways.
The water maintains a consistent temperature between 14C and 15C due to the mine’s depth, offering year-round heating potential. Business owner Nick Salini, who manufactures heat pumps, developed the system for his building.
“We’ve installed a ground source heat pump that takes the water from the surface mine water treatment plant,” he said. “We take that warm water to a heat pump, compress it to a useable temperature for heating the building and this will heat the building all year around.”
How it works
Scalable Heating Solution Offers Broader Applications
Salini confirmed the installed system has a capacity of 35 kilowatts, which could heat up to ten new-build homes. “It is scalable so it could provide heating for hundreds of homes,” he said, “by absorbing the available energy from the ground.”
The system highlights a practical way to use mine water heat as part of the transition to cleaner energy. It follows previous mapping by the Welsh government to identify suitable coalfield areas for such schemes.
The mine water heat opportunity map released last year outlines where these types of renewable projects could be viable across Wales.
Authority Supports Broader Development of Projects
The Mining Remediation Authority, previously known as the Coal Authority, continues to assist other projects across Wales. Its head of heat and by-product innovation, Gareth Farr, said Wales has strong potential for this heating model.
“Everyone in Wales has been looking at what we’ve delivered in the north east of England,” Farr said. “But there’s no reason why Wales can’t be at the forefront of this as well.”
He noted that one-quarter of Wales’ population lives in coalfield areas, where demand for affordable heating remains high. “We want to link our proud industrial heritage to this new green future,” Farr said.
Initial Costs and Funding Remain a Challenge
Innovate UK funded the Carmarthenshire pilot to help demonstrate the technology’s effectiveness. The UK-funded body supports growth-focused innovation across multiple industries.
While initial funding for small projects exists, developers still face challenges when scaling up similar schemes. Bridgend Council previously scrapped a proposed heat network in 2021 due to rising projected costs.
Scheme Implementation Completed in Two Weeks
Developers took two weeks to lay the pipework and complete infrastructure installation for the Carmarthenshire system. Farr acknowledged the short-term disruption but emphasised the long-term benefit to the business and wider community.
He added that existing projects across Great Britain could inspire broader adoption of similar mine water heat schemes. “We really hope this scheme will be a springboard to encourage others,” he said. “And provide confidence so they can progress the ideas we’ve been working on with them.”
Mine Water Systems Expand Across the UK
Similar mine water heat projects continue to expand in England. The first to be completed in Gateshead now supplies heat to over 600 homes, businesses, and an arts centre.
The project there also draws heat from abandoned mine shafts filled with warm groundwater. Water temperatures vary by depth but often reach up to 20C.
Welsh Government Encourages Local Energy Proposals
The Welsh government does not currently operate a dedicated heat network fund but supports eligible local energy schemes. Officials said projects could access funding if aligned with local area energy plans.
A spokesperson stated, “Applicants would need to demonstrate how their idea fits with local area energy plans.” Projects must also show “the optimum use of funds, returning the biggest impact for the investment.”
Ynni Cymru, a Welsh government-supported body, has recently launched a £10 million capital fund. The initiative aims to back smart local energy systems and promote novel project development.
“We would encourage developers to explore this potential route,” the Welsh government added.
Mine Water Heat Gains Attention in Policy Discussions
Mine water heating continues to attract interest from both government and industry in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. Stakeholders view the technology as an effective use of post-industrial infrastructure for sustainable outcomes.
The Carmarthenshire project signals the beginning of broader efforts to convert legacy coal mine assets into renewable energy sources. Authorities, developers, and local communities continue working together to evaluate and implement new schemes.
