Seaham mine water heat network wins national award

A heat network in Seaham that uses warm water from a former colliery to heat homes has won the Gamechanger Award at the 2026 Accelerate to Zero Awards. Judges chose the Seaham Garden Village scheme from projects across the UK, and it was recognised at a ceremony on Thursday 5 November 2026, held as part of BE-ST Fest in Glasgow. The award celebrates innovative ways to support a just transition in the built environment.

The scheme uses water from the Mining Remediation Authority's Dawdon mine water treatment scheme, which already pumps water to the surface from the flooded mine. The water is naturally between 18°C and 20°C. A 733kW water source heat pump raises its temperature, and the heat then travels through a heat network to 750 affordable homes at Seaham Garden Village. The scheme is expected to save 505 tonnes of carbon emissions a year.

Dawdon Colliery began producing coal in 1904 and operated for 85 years. After it closed, the mine workings gradually filled with groundwater, rainwater and seawater. The treatment scheme pumps and treats this water to protect the local aquifer, and the heat network does not change that role but gives the same site a second use.

Andrew Simpson, head of innovation, by-products and service delivery at the Mining Remediation Authority, said: "The scheme shows what's possible when we put a former coalfield's mining legacy to work for the community." Kieran Walsh, regional manager for Vital Energi, said the project "continues the story of the north-east's mining heritage" and gives the infrastructure at Dawdon Colliery a new purpose.

The heat network was developed by Durham County Council, the Mining Remediation Authority, Karbon Homes and Vital Energi. Vital Energi designed and built the energy centre and network, and will act as the long-term energy services company, providing the heating and supporting customers.

Seaham Garden Village is part of a wider masterplan for 1,500 homes. The Mining Remediation Authority operates more than 80 mine water treatment schemes across Great Britain and says the Seaham project shows how this existing infrastructure could also provide low-carbon heat.