Coal new solar container project

Could coal mines boost global solar capacity?

In a landmark report released this month, Global Energy Monitor reveals that converting recently closed and soon-to-be-retired coal mines into solar farms could boost global solar capacity by nearly 300 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 — a 15% increase over today’s total installed solar base.

Is repurposing coal mines for solar a good idea?

The coal mine to solar transition is underway, and this potential is ready to be unlocked in major coal producers like Australia, the U.S., Indonesia and India. Repurposing mines for solar development offers a rare chance to bring together land restoration, local job creation, and clean energy deployment in a single strategy.

How many coal mines can be repurposed for solar?

In total, that means an estimated 446 coal mines and 5,820 km² of abandoned land that could be repurposed for solar projects and generate nearly 300 GW of renewable energy. That’s a huge amount - equivalent to around 15 per cent of globally installed solar capacity today.

How many coal mines will close by 2030?

Global Energy Monitor’s (GEM) analysis, the first of its kind, surveys over 300 surface coal mines closed since 2020 and another 127 projected to close by 2030, estimating their combined solar potential at 288 GW.

Can Greece turn old coal mines into solar?

In Europe, the report singles out Greece - which is “exceptionally well-suited” for turning old coal mines into solar plants. An average solar potential of 4.45 kilowatts per square meter (kW/m²), a fast-approaching coal phaseout goal of 2026, and a supportive financing environment as an EU member state all make Greece ripe for this transition.

How many abandoned coal mines will be repurposed?

Its Global Coal Mine Tracker (GCMT) finds that a further 3,731 km² of mine land is set to be abandoned by operators before the end of 2030 as reserves are run down. In total, that means an estimated 446 coal mines and 5,820 km² of abandoned land that could be repurposed for solar projects and generate nearly 300 GW of renewable energy.