It’s remarkable that the relics of the UK’s polluting industrial past could hold a key to its low carbon future. This week the Government’s Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility, Lord Callanan, visited the North East to see two mine water district heating schemes in Gateshead and County Durham, which are leading the way in the nation’s drive to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions. Both projects have benefitted from the £320m Heat Network Investment Project, delivered in partnership between Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management and BEIS.

“Heating our homes and workspaces without causing carbon emissions is going to be key to tackling climate change and heat networks are proving an effective solution as well as opening up huge potential for investors at home and abroad. These low-carbon technologies are allowing us to build back greener from the pandemic…” Said Lord Callanan.

Ken Hunnisett, Project Director at Heat Networks Investment Management added, “These vanguard projects - the first two mine energy schemes to be awarded HNIP funding - are a significant step towards the decarbonisation of a region at the heart of the Government’s impressive levelling-up agenda. The use of our legacy mine-workings to provide clean, affordable and perpetually renewing heat should be a source of great national pride.”

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