Sharnberry MWTS - Power Connection - Phase 2 Non-Contestable Works

The Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme (WAMM) is the primary delivery mechanism to achieve the statutory Environment Act target to halve the length of rivers polluted by harmful metals from abandoned metal mines by 2038. WAMM is being delivered by a partnership between the Mining Remediation Authority, the Environment Agency and Defra.

The former Sharnberry mines are located in County Durham at the far eastern edge of the North Pennines Orefield, in the Pennines Moors. The mines pollute rivers in the Wear catchment, specifically the Euden Beck and downstream Bedburn Beck.

The Environment Agency carried out a detailed monitoring programme to measure the metal concentrations and river flows at various points across the catchment. This monitoring indicated that the Sharnberry adit is the most significant source of zinc and cadmium pollution and also contributes to lead pollution.

The Environment Agency have advised that a Mine Water Treatment Scheme (MWTS) is required that will require a permanent power connection. In February 2025, it was agreed to progress with Phase 1 of the grid connection, which is from Eggleston Crest to the boundary of the Eggleston Estate access track. This contract is for non-contestable works of the phase 2 grid extension, which is for Northern Powergrid to: - Upgrade the existing two-conductor system to Three-Phase, which involves rebuilding the line. - Carrying out 1x HV closing joint - Undertaking all Senior Authorised Person work associated with all connections to the Distribution System