Global sustainable energy producer EDL has announced a 20-year contract to build, own and operate a waste coal mine gas power station for Centennial Coal’s Mandalong mine, in the Lake Macquarie area of New South Wales, Australia.

When completed in late 2020, the power station will have installed capacity of 8 MW and convert waste gas extracted during mining operations into electricity to power the mine.

The Mandalong thermal coal mine is an underground longwall that commenced operations in 2005. It has approval to produce 5.5 Mt/y of coal.

EDL Chief Executive Officer, James Harman, said: “For decades, EDL has supported our customers in the mining industry to achieve greenhouse gas abatement and cost savings with our waste coal mine gas power stations,” he said. “We are delighted to provide Centennial Coal with this reliable, sustainable energy solution and look forward to a long, collaborative partnership.”

Centennial Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Peter Parry, said: “As well as fuelling nearly 40% of NSW’s coal fired electricity, Centennial is also a significant energy consumer to power our mines. EDL, by converting the methane gas we extract during the process of mining to generate electricity to meet our energy needs, provides a practical and cost-effective arrangement that also reduces our emissions.”