Abandoned Coal Mines Could Generate 300 GW of Solar Energy by 2030
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📰 The quick summary: Converting closed coal mines into solar plants could generate 300 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, providing a productive second life for degraded mining lands while accelerating clean energy transition.
📈 One key stat: The repurposing of over 300 recently closed coal mines could host 103 gigawatts of solar capacity, equal to 15% of all solar energy already built globally.
💬 One key quote: “The coal-to-solar transition offers a rare chance to repair the environmental hazards and eyesores of open pits. Constructing solar on upheaved lands isn’t just land reclamation — it’s a chance to align land restoration, clean energy goals, and local job creation.”
1️⃣ The big picture: Abandoned coal mines across the globe represent a major opportunity for renewable energy development. According to a groundbreaking analysis by Global Energy Monitor, turning shuttered coal mines into solar plants could add nearly 300 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030. Their report identified 312 surface mines closed since 2020 and 134 more likely to close this decade, covering 2,250 square miles of potential solar development space. These sites offer particular advantages for solar conversion since they’re already cleared of vegetation and typically connected to existing power grids, making them ideal candidates for renewable energy projects.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Converting these degraded mining sites creates multiple benefits beyond just generating clean electricity. Former strip-mined lands can transform from polluted wastelands into productive solar farms that help fight climate change. The projected 300 gigawatts of solar capacity from these conversions could power a country the size of Germany. China has already begun this transition with 90 operational coal-to-solar projects generating 14 gigawatts, with another 46 projects in development. This approach simultaneously addresses land restoration needs, creates new local jobs in renewable energy, and accelerates the global transition away from fossil fuels.
3️⃣ What’s next: Policymakers need to develop targeted incentives for coal-to-solar conversion projects. Developers should partner with local communities affected by mine closures to ensure economic benefits stay in the region. More countries beyond China must implement similar transition strategies, particularly coal producers like Australia, the US, Indonesia, and India who have significant potential for such conversions.
Read the full story here: EcoWatch – Turning Shuttered Coal Mines Into Solar Plants Could Add 300 GW of Renewable Energy by 2030: Report
