GEM estimates that 446 abandoned or soon-to-be-closed coal mines could be suitable for solar conversion.
Repurposing former coal sites for solar is a win-win strategy
Turning shut-down or abandoned coal mines into solar farms could deliver nearly 300 GW of clean energy worldwide. That’s the main finding from a new report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM), which for the first time estimates the global photovoltaic (PV) potential of closed coal deposits for accelerating the energy transition.
The analysis relies on data from GEM’s Global Coal Mine Tracker, identifying open-pit coal mines across the globe that have ceased operations or are set to close soon. Based on this, researchers calculated how much solar capacity could be deployed on these sites, and the possible employment benefits.
“Coal’s legacy is etched into the land, but it doesn’t have to define the future,” said Cheng Cheng Wu, project manager of GEM’s Energy Transition Tracker. “The shift from coal mines to solar is underway, and this potential is ripe for development in major coal-producing countries like Australia, the United States, Indonesia, and India.”
How many closed coal mines are fit for solar?
As a first step, GEM identified 312 coal mines that have shut down or run dry in the past five years. Together, these cover about 2,089 square kilometers.
Researchers then mapped additional mines expected to be abandoned by 2030 due to resource depletion or end-of-life operations. These account for another 3,731 square kilometers of land.
According to GEM, the already-closed sites could support at least 103 GW of PV capacity. An additional 185 GW could be added from post-2030 closures, bringing the total to 288 GW. Most of these opportunities lie in Australia, the U.S., Indonesia, and India.
Existing infrastructure makes them ideal for solar
The location of former coal mines makes them particularly appealing for solar repurposing. Nearly all are already close to transmission infrastructure, including substations and power lines. GEM found that 96% of the 312 closed sites are within 10 kilometers of the grid, while 91% lie within 10 kilometers of a connection point.
Some countries are already leading the way. China has 90 operating solar projects on former coal mines with 14 GW of installed capacity. An additional 46 projects are in development, expected to add another 9 GW.
A social and environmental double dividend
“Repurposing coal mines for solar energy is a rare opportunity to merge land restoration, local job creation, and clean energy deployment into a single strategy,” added Cheng Cheng Wu. “With the right policies, the same land that powered the industrial age can now power our climate solutions.”
According to the report, such transitions could generate 259,700 permanent jobs in sectors like manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and professional services, in addition to 317,500 temporary jobs.
