Durham, England – The historic home of the Durham Miners has taken a step towards sustainability by becoming the first heritage building in North East England to be powered by geothermal energy. The 108-year-old headquarters will now be warmed by a ground source heat pump system, a move that is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Over 8,000 feet of boreholes have been sunk to tap heat from rocks at a depth of over 130 metres, providing carbon dioxide-free central heating to a building that was once at the center of industrial coal mining. County Durham was once the largest deep mine coalfield in the world, with an estimated 30 billion tonnes of coal extracted and burned globally.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has backed this ground-breaking heating system, recognizing that Redhills will become a focal point for climate change studies. Nick Malyan, chief executive of Redhills CIO, said, “It is somewhat poetic that we are installing the most carbon-neutral heating system in a building that represents generations of miners, their families, and communities. This system serves as a reminder of the need to offset the carbon footprint created over the past 200 years and is a small but crucial contribution to addressing the larger challenges of climate change.”
The renovation of Redhills Durham Miners Hall is well underway, with plans to transform it into a center for education and heritage. The building, which holds significant historical and cultural value, is expected to reopen to the public in late autumn next year. North East contractors Meldrum Group are leading the renewal project, with CEO Dave Meldrum stating, “Redhills is one of the most significant heritage projects we have worked on. We understand the deep meaning and significance of the building’s role in our regional history. The ground source heating system brings Redhills into the modern era, and it is an honor to be a part of this historically important project.”
This groundbreaking project was made possible by the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and is a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future. For more information on Redhills and its ongoing restoration, visit their website.
