From Decommissioned Coal Mines to Solar Power Plants

Transforming decommissioned coal mines into solar power plants could provide enough energy to power a country the size of Germany. This is stated in a report based on research conducted by analysts from the Global Energy Monitor (GEM).

Representatives of GEM reported that 312 coal mines have been decommissioned since 2020, covering more than 2,089 square kilometers. According to forecasts, an additional 3,731 square kilometers of land will be abandoned by the end of 2030.

This means that approximately 446 coal mines and 5,820 square kilometers of abandoned land could be repurposed for solar projects, generating nearly 300 gigawatts of renewable energy. This amount is roughly equivalent to 15% of the world’s current installed solar capacity.

Researchers are confident that repurposing degraded lands will bring significant benefits to former coal communities worldwide. According to their data, 259,700 permanent jobs and an additional 317,500 temporary jobs could be created.

Old coal mines often remain scars on the landscape, but this approach provides an economic incentive for land reclamation and cleanup from mining impacts. Thus, coal communities can simultaneously achieve several goals: restoring degraded lands, creating new jobs, retraining workers, and meeting energy and environmental targets.