Families moving into new affordable homes at Seaham Garden Village are now receiving clean, secure, and reasonably priced heating. This energy is powered by water from abandoned coal mines located beneath the properties.
An energy centre, designed to supply approximately 750 homes with low-carbon heat extracted from naturally warm mine water, has successfully completed its commissioning phase. This confirms the network is fully operational.
The scheme is a collaboration between the Mining Remediation Authority, Karbon Homes, Esh Group, Vital Energi, and Durham County Council. It delivers a stable heat source by utilising a nationalised asset already in public ownership.
This project also offers environmental benefits, with an estimated annual saving of 2,600 tonnes of CO2. Over 25 years, this equates to nearly 65,000 tonnes of avoided carbon emissions.