Equity or profit? Understanding the social sustainability challenges of mine water heating network implementation

Abstract

The decarbonisation of the heating sector illustrates the broader tensions between technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic equity. Mine water, an indigenous geothermal resource found in disused and flooded coal mines, has the potential to address these tensions through its capacity to deliver renewable, locally sourced heat. However, despite its capability to alleviate fuel poverty, generate employment, and support net-zero ambitions, mine water heating remains underutilised in the UK. This study examines the barriers to implementation, focusing on the Northeast of England—a region historically shaped by coal mining and now marked by economic deprivation and social inequality. Drawing on 33 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, such as policymakers, industry representatives, local authorities, and residents, the research identifies a range of systemic obstacles. These include protracted and opaque regulatory processes, insufficient financial support mechanisms, and a lack of attention to social equity within policy frameworks. The findings reveal a disconnect between stakeholder expectations and the realities of project deliverability, as well as a narrow policy focus on climate targets that often sidelines pressing social sustainability concerns, such as equitable energy access and community well-being. This research argues for an integrated approach that repositions mine water heating as both an environmental and social intervention. Policy recommendations include creating ring-fenced funding for deprived regions, investing in capacity-building initiatives, and reforming governance processes to enhance project feasibility and inclusivity. Reframing mine water heating as a tool for achieving socially equitable energy transitions underscores its transformative potential for marginalised coalfield communities in the UK and comparable regions globally.