Coal Authority to install solar panels at 75 former mines.
In a move that will be greeted as another symbol of renewables’ challenge to ‘King Coal’, the UK’s Coal Authority has inked deals to roll-out solar panels across its estate of 75 former mine sites.
HBS Group Southern Limited (HBS New Energies), Herbert T Forrest Ltd, and Campbell & Kennedy were named as the successful contractors.
The framework will see the three firms install solar panels to help power the Coal Authority’s water treatment works housed at the former coal mines, and follows the success of a small-scale PV installation at one of its mine water treatment schemes.
HBS New Energies said the Coal Authority has identified solar as a "cost-effective and efficient strategy that would help improve their future economic performance, whilst enhancing its sustainable development".
"This large-scale solar PV programme is a clear sign of the authority’s future intentions as they look to increase their on-site renewable energy generation," said Stuart Gentry, business development director at HBS New Energies.
"The deployment of solar power will help the Coal Authority to meet its aim of off-setting the costs of managing water treatment on site, whilst enhancing their sustainable operations."
The solar PV systems are set to generate a combined total of 317,065kWh of electricity each year and deliver 168 tonnes in annual carbon savings, according to the firm, with the energy produced helping cut the cost of pumping the mines’ water at the Coal Authority’s treatment sites.
The company said it was now working closely with the Coal Authority on the feasibility, planning and development for the next wave of ex-mine sites identified as potentially suitable for large-scale ground mount solar PV installations.
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."