Repurposing abandoned coal mines as solar energy facilities could add a hefty 15% to the world’s capacity or 300GW in total, a report from the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) has found.
Some 312 surface coal mines that have been idled and degraded since 2020 were identified that collectively take sprawl over 2,089km² – an area nearly the size of Luxembourg. The report also predicts a further 3,731km² of mine land that may be abandoned by operators before the end of 2030, owing to the depletion of reserves and the reported life of the mine.
Coal mines are typically converted into solar farms by repurposing the land for solar panel installation, often combining it with land restoration efforts and agricultural practices. This approach offers a way to reuse land that has been heavily degraded by mining activities.
If the operations identified by GEM close by 2030, alongside repurposing of the mines already shuttered, a cumulative 300GW of solar power capacity could be generated.
China already...