Sunday 9 July 2017

UK Coal Authority turns to solar power

UK Coal Authority turns to solar power

The Coal Authority is installing solar panels across its estate of 75 mine water treatment sites.

It manages the effects of past coal mining, including subsidence damage claims which are not the responsibility of licensed coal mine operators and mine water pollution.

It is a non-departmental public body within the UK's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The Coal Authority has appointed HBS New Energies, Campbell & Kennedy and Forrest to install and operate the solar panels under a four-year renewable energy framework.

HBS New Energies’ works at Chester South moor (74KW), Deerplay (250KW) and Old Meadows (60KW) are nearing completion.

They are expected to generate a total of more than 317,000kWh of green electricity a year and cut 167 tonnes of carbon.

The renewable energy used will help offset the cost of pumping the mines’ water at their treatment sites, therefore cutting the authority’s operational costs.

Phil Broughton, Innovation Project Manager for the Coal Authority said: “It’s great to see the immediate benefit brought by the solar arrays in terms of low carbon sustainability and operational cost savings.”

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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