UK Coal to mine wind farm potential

Green groups may have to rethink at least some of their oppostion to the UK's largest mining company, UK Coal, after the firm announced plans to turn 14 of its former mines into wind farms.

The company has signed an agreement with alternative energy developer Peel Energy to develop the sites, which could house 54 turbines producing up to 133 MW of energy - enough to power 80,000 homes.

Jon Lloyd, chief executive of UK Coal, said that he was convinced "there is significant opportunity to develop wind farms on parts of our land portfolio".

The plans are currently in their early stages, and while one site in Nottinghamshire is currently subject to a planning appeal, the other 13 proposed developments are yet to apply for planning permission.

Peel Energy - who's parent company, Peel Holdings, owns a 27 per cent stake in UK Coal - will now undertake a programme of initial evaluation and assessment, before entering applications for planning permission.

If a site is submitted for planning permission, a special purpose company will be formed by Peel Energy, which UK Coal will grant a 30 year lease on the site. The mining company will then also have the option to acquire a 50 per cent equity share in the new firm.

Steven Underwood, director of Peel Energy, hailed the partnership as "an important step" for the firm, "significantly expanding its onshore pipeline and gaining access to some of the UK's best potential wind farm locations".

UK coal is increasingly looking for innovative uses for a number of old mine sites across its 46,500 acres of land, much of which is unsuitable for traditional development options.

The firm still operates six active surface mines, with an annual output in excess of 1.5 million tonnes.