Gateshead heat network provides inspiration for Polish mining industry

Visitors from the most industrialised region of Poland have been learning about Gateshead's innovative heat network fuelled by naturally warmed mine water.
Local MP Mark Ferguson and Gateshead Council hosted the delegation from Silesia, Poland as part of a study visit to the North East for the Durham Miners' Gala.
The group was made up of trades unionists, regional government planners, business representatives and academics.
There are still 70,000 miners working in Silesia but they face the end of their industry by 2049 at the latest.
So they came to the North East to see what lessons have been learned about the closure of a 200-year-old industry and see what the end of the carbon-based era might look like.
Gateshead's mine water heat network proved to be an inspiration for the Polish visitors - their fact-finding team were able to see a new, clean energy source from old mine workings in action, discovering the benefits of the UK's biggest mine water heat recovery station and they saw opportunities to build for Silesia's future.
Grezgorz Trefon, a team organiser from the trade union KADRA said:
"It has been so interesting to see the possibilities of developing very energy-efficient heat from mines.
"We are still in the process of transitioning away from fossil fuels and will learn more about the possibilities for Silesia and its people by planning ahead.
"The Gateshead scheme is truly impressive and we have much to learn. We can see what is possible. The next steps are to see how we can use our current working mines to exploit the heat and energy potential."
The Polish mining industry, along with its regional and local government have an opportunity to to access and utilise the warm water in working mines, so when the mines close they can ensure that they fit one of the best heat reclamation schemes available.
This can heat homes and provide cheaper energy for business growth.
Mr Trefon added: "Thinking ahead will give us an advantage. It was interesting to see how the Gateshead engineers had to deal with underground maps and search for the right places to draw the heat.
"With our mines still working, we know where it all is.
"The next few months and years will be critical to us in this planning. The Gateshead visit and, hopefully, a future partnership will be most helpful."
Mark Ferguson MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham said:
"Gateshead played a central role in the early development of mining technology. From the early bell pits in Sunniside to the pioneering waggonway transporting coal to the Staiths and on to the world, we have a rich heritage.
"So, it's amazing to welcome the miners from Silesia to learn lessons from Gateshead on mine water heating and locally-owned energy, as they look to their own future. We are once again an industry leader in this area, and that should be recognised and celebrated"
Earlier in their visit the group heard from regional development specialists about the social and economic cost of closing an industry with no real plan, and mass unemployment resulting.
The North East is still feeling the effects of decades of industrial decline but is now finding two centuries of coal mining may provide an alternative energy source.
Mr Trefon added:
"The time is now for us to start planning our futures . We are very grateful that the people of the North East are willing to share their experiences with us - both good and bad.
"Everyone has been welcoming and very honest. It has been an enlightening and inspirational trip."
Councillor Gary Haley, deputy leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"When you go out of the region and outside the UK, people are aware of Gateshead and the amazing things we and the wider North-East are doing in terms of energy infrastructure - we are world renowned.
"I am proud to have welcomed the delegation to our region, and hope Gateshead is the inspiration needed to decarbonise Poland and the Silesia region."

Visitors from the most industrialised region of Poland have been learning about Gateshead's innovative heat network fuelled by naturally warmed mine water.
Local MP Mark Ferguson and Gateshead Council hosted the delegation from Silesia, Poland as part of a study visit to the North East for the Durham Miners' Gala.
The group was made up of trades unionists, regional government planners, business representatives and academics.
There are still 70,000 miners working in Silesia but they face the end of their industry by 2049 at the latest.
So they came to the North East to see what lessons have been learned about the closure of a 200-year-old industry and see what the end of the carbon-based era might look like.
Gateshead's mine water heat network proved to be an inspiration for the Polish visitors - their fact-finding team were able to see a new, clean energy source from old mine workings in action, discovering the benefits of the UK's biggest mine water heat recovery station and they saw opportunities to build for Silesia's future.
Grezgorz Trefon, a team organiser from the trade union KADRA said:
"It has been so interesting to see the possibilities of developing very energy-efficient heat from mines.
"We are still in the process of transitioning away from fossil fuels and will learn more about the possibilities for Silesia and its people by planning ahead.
"The Gateshead scheme is truly impressive and we have much to learn. We can see what is possible. The next steps are to see how we can use our current working mines to exploit the heat and energy potential."
The Polish mining industry, along with its regional and local government have an opportunity to to access and utilise the warm water in working mines, so when the mines close they can ensure that they fit one of the best heat reclamation schemes available.
This can heat homes and provide cheaper energy for business growth.
Mr Trefon added: "Thinking ahead will give us an advantage. It was interesting to see how the Gateshead engineers had to deal with underground maps and search for the right places to draw the heat.
"With our mines still working, we know where it all is.
"The next few months and years will be critical to us in this planning. The Gateshead visit and, hopefully, a future partnership will be most helpful."
Mark Ferguson MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham said:
"Gateshead played a central role in the early development of mining technology. From the early bell pits in Sunniside to the pioneering waggonway transporting coal to the Staiths and on to the world, we have a rich heritage.
"So, it's amazing to welcome the miners from Silesia to learn lessons from Gateshead on mine water heating and locally-owned energy, as they look to their own future. We are once again an industry leader in this area, and that should be recognised and celebrated"
Earlier in their visit the group heard from regional development specialists about the social and economic cost of closing an industry with no real plan, and mass unemployment resulting.
The North East is still feeling the effects of decades of industrial decline but is now finding two centuries of coal mining may provide an alternative energy source.
Mr Trefon added:
"The time is now for us to start planning our futures . We are very grateful that the people of the North East are willing to share their experiences with us - both good and bad.
"Everyone has been welcoming and very honest. It has been an enlightening and inspirational trip."
Councillor Gary Haley, deputy leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"When you go out of the region and outside the UK, people are aware of Gateshead and the amazing things we and the wider North-East are doing in terms of energy infrastructure - we are world renowned.
"I am proud to have welcomed the delegation to our region, and hope Gateshead is the inspiration needed to decarbonise Poland and the Silesia region."