Energy minister Claire Perry has thrown her support behind projects to turn old mines into source of renewable heat.
The topic of geothermal heat came up in a wide ranging debate on energy efficiency and the and Clean Growth Strategy in Westminster yesterday (Thursday 8 March).
It comes as local authorities look again at tapping a potentially abundant source of energy, with projects also getting underway in Cornwall.
Perry said she is “really interested” in geothermal mine water technologies and offered encouragement to developers.
“If there are groups out there that are interested in promoting this and suggesting what can be done in a cost-effective way, bring it on,” said Perry. “We have already dug the holes [the mines], lets see whether we can get some more benefit for those communities.”
See the transcript of the debate here.
Meanwhile the developers of a proposed deep geothermal project in Redruth, Cornwall, which aims to deliver both renewable heat and power from underground sources, are tendering for provision of a generating plant of up to 3.15MW.
Interest parties can request further information and a tender pack from Jonathan Beynon.
Related stories:
Tender launched for 3.15MW geothermal electricity plant
Nottingham County Council goes large on solar, eyes batteries, mulls mine water energy
Government sets geothermal power support at £140/MWh
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This is excellent! Very happy to have minewater geothermal heating finally gaining some well deserved attention! My specialist consultancy has been working to understand how the business case can be optimised for developing these systems in Scotland, and feel very optimistic for progress in this space over the coming years.