From mines to turbines – coal company eyes wind

The sites of disused coal mines could be used to house wind farms in a transformation which would be not only symbolic, but would breathe new life into brownfield land with few other options for commercially viable use.


UK Coal plc has teamed up with wind farm developers Peel Energy to look at the possibility of erecting turbines at 14 separate sites.

If all the windfarms were to get through the planning process, the initiative would see 54 turbines installed to produce 133MW of power.

Jon Lloyd, chief executive of UK Coal, said: “We believe there is significant opportunity to develop wind farms on parts of our land portfolio.

“By allying with Peel Energy, we are joining forces with one of the UK’s most active and knowledgeable wind power companies. This will accelerate our alternative power business whilst maintaining total flexibility on the level of investment we make in it and without distracting us from our core mining and property development operations.”

Steven Underwood, director of Peel Energy, said: “This agreement is an important step for Peel Energy, significantly expanding its onshore pipeline and gaining access to some of the UK’s best potential wind farm locations. We look forward to working with UK Coal to realise the wind power potential of its extensive land portfolio. ”

Sam Bond

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