Bright Future for Dark Pits: Turning Abandoned Coal Mines into Solar Powerhouses

Closed coal mines around the world may hold the key to a solar energy revolution, according to a new report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM). The report, titled “Bright Side of the Mine”, highlights how nearly 300 GW of photovoltaic (PV) solar capacity could be developed on surface coal mines sealed shut since at least 2020 or expected to close by 2030.

This mammoth solar energy output is enough to match or even exceed the current electricity demand of Germany. According to the report, such coal sites cover roughly 5,820 sq km worldwide, an area nearly that is as vast as Palestine.

Why Does it Matter?

Coal has long been criticised for its environmental damage and land degradation. Surface mining, in particular, leaves vast tracts of stripped and polluted land, often left idle after coal reserves are exhausted.

Furthermore, coal extraction often leaves landscapes barren and ecologically damaged. GEM suggests repurposing those sites as solar farms offers a synergistic solution to both energy production and ecological restoration. Many of these sites are already closely linked to power-transmission lines. Moreover, the analysis argues these lands are ripe for repurposing – already cleared, often flat, and grid-adjacent.

“Repurposing coal mines is not a technical fantasy—it’s already happening,” says Cheng Cheng Wu, project manager at GEM. “What’s needed now is clear policy, streamlined permitting, and community-first development.”

Over 96 percent of recently closed coal mines are within 10 kilometres of the existing grid, reducing one of the biggest barriers to solar deployment, that is transmission access.

The report identifies 311 surface mines that have already closed since 2020, covering over 2,000 square kilometres, and another 127 expected to close this decade. Together, these 438 mine sites offer about 5,820 square kilometres of land that could host massive solar installations, capable of transforming post-coal economies and accelerating climate goals.

Is it Feasible?

These coal site conversions not only present a golden opportunity for the communities looking to move beyond the emission causing coal-based energy but also are feasible.

Across major coal-producing countries, such as the US, Australia, India, and Indonesia, the infrastructure exists for these conversions. GEM notes that 96 percent of abandoned mines lie within 10 km of electrical grids, significantly lowering development costs.

Global Energy Monitor’s (GEM) research across 28 countries reveals a combined solar potential of 288 GW on recently abandoned coal mine sites. China leads with 90 operational coal-to-solar conversions totalling 14 GW, alongside 9 GW in the pipeline.

Australia follows with over 73 GW of potential spread across 1,470 square kilometres. Indonesia offers nearly 60 GW, that is 100 times its current solar capacity, while the United States could support 49 GW across 217 identified sites.

In India, more than 500 square kilometres of former coal mines could accommodate 27 GW of solar, equivalent to 37 percent of the nation’s current solar fleet. Additionally, 20 sites in South Africa could double its existing solar capacity, and Germany’s lignite regions have space for over 4 GW of potential solar generation.

Beyond clean energy, the proposal promises job creation: an estimated 259,700 permanent positions in manufacturing and services and 317,500 in construction, outnumbering the projected job losses in coal-related sectors through 2035.

Beyond Solar

Solar is just the starting point. Across the globe, many closed coal mines are being repurposed for advanced clean energy applications.

In countries like Australia and the United States, former mine sites are being evaluated for battery storage and pumped hydro projects. Grid-connected locations are also being considered for green hydrogen production and export. In the United Kingdom, geothermal heating systems are drawing warmth from flooded coal shafts to heat homes.

Other innovative uses include agrivoltaics, where solar power is combined with agriculture, and the creation of pollinator habitats for ecological restoration. For instance, China is deploying large-scale “floatovoltaic” solar farms over water-filled mine pits, while Greece is transforming its lignite fields into nearly 2 GW of solar capacity with support from European Union recovery funds.

A Just Transition in the Making

The current report appears as coal demand, especially in nations such as China and India, remains high, with new plants continuing to be built. At the same time, global solar capacity topped 599 GW new installations in 2024, with over 2 TW in development.

With nearly 300 GW of potential by 2030, repurposing coal mines may prove to be one of the most scalable and equitable paths to clean energy – turning the scars of the past into pillars of a sustainable future.