Written statement from Ken Skates – Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Transport and North Wales

Publication of “Wales’s Mine Water Heat Opportunity Map”

Today, I published Wales’s Mine Water Heat Opportunity Map and technical reports.

Disused coal mines are a legacy of Wales’s mining past. Where suitable, our historical underground coal mine network may now offer a renewable, secure, low carbon source of heating for buildings in coalfield areas. With heating accounting for 50%of energy use in the Wales, mine water heat could improve the sustainability of the places where we live and work. Mine water heat could also play a part in our necessary efforts to tackle climate change and support decarbonisation.

We commissioned the Coal Authority to investigate this water heat potential from Wales’s disused mines, and to produce a “mine water heat opportunity map” to inform local authorities and developers on the opportunities and potential locations for mine water heat scheme sites.

The Coal Authority  work included assessing all known coal mine workings in Wales which might now hold water that is warmed by natural processes.  They then designed a map, covering all local authority areas, categorising coal mine workings as “Good”, “Possible” and “Challenging” opportunities for mine water heat developments.

Additionally, they produced a map, illustrating locations where mine water is already brought to the surface via controlled gravity-driven discharges and mine water treatment schemes.  Such locations offer particularly cost-effective potential for heating schemes.

Technical reports have also been prepared  for 11 local authorities, highlighting mine heat opportunities. These will be published on the Welsh Government’s website and link to DataMapWales.

The reports provide informative, and freely accessible information and data, for developers who are interested in exploring the decarbonisation and economic opportunities offered by mine heat resources.

These mine heat reports are part of a package of information that we will be publishing over the coming months, which when combined with our wider Heat Strategy, Local Area Energy Plans, and Net Zero Wales Carbon Budgets, make clear our commitment to decarbonisation and sustainable economic growth through the provision of clear policy direction and information to facilitate informed development decisions.

This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.