Previously untapped heat from a mine water treatment scheme in Wales is now being harnessed to provide low-carbon heating for a nearby business.
Wales, with its industrial heritage and coal mining past, has recognised the potential of mine water heat, through its Heat Strategy for Wales, as a viable option to support a just transition to renewables.
As part of this commitment, the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) identified an opportunity for low-carbon heat recovery at its Lindsay treatment scheme near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, as part of its work to map areas of Wales most suited for mine water heat schemes, which was commissioned by the Welsh Government.
The MRA operates more than 80 treatment schemes across Great Britain and at Lindsay it pumps and treats an average of 25 litres of mine water per second.
This process removes approximately 28 kilograms of iron each day, preventing it from entering local watercourses, protecting the Ffrwd Brook, which flows into the River Loughor, safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and contributing to cleaner, healthier rivers in the region.
Now, for the first time in Wales, the heat from mine water is being harnessed to provide secure, low-carbon heating at an industrial site.
The mine water is naturally warm due to geothermal energy from the earth’s crust and heat retained from its time circulating through underground rock layers and former coal mines.
Working in collaboration with local business Thermal Earth Ltd, the renewable heat project secured funding through Innovate UK’s New Innovators in Net Zero Industry, South West Wales initiative.
Constructed in just two weeks, the innovative project utilises heat exchangers submerged in one of the settlement ponds at the Lindsay scheme to recover heat from mine water, which is then transferred to a nearby industrial unit to supply low-carbon heating and hot water, and is predicted to save 17.5 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Andrew Simpson, head of Innovation, By-Products and Services at the Mining Remediation Authority, said:
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see this forward-thinking project, transforming part of our mining legacy into a source of clean, renewable heat.
“It’s a powerful example of how innovation, collaboration and technical expertise can work together to deliver real-world solutions to the climate challenge.
“This scheme demonstrates how Wales’ industrial heritage can be repurposed to support a low-carbon future.
“By unlocking the potential of mine water heat, we’re not only reducing emissions but also creating a blueprint for sustainable energy that can be replicated across the country.
“We hope this success inspires others to explore the untapped potential of mine water heat as a reliable, renewable energy source.”
