Chhattisgarh’s PEKB Coal Mine Goes Green with Solar

The Parsa East and Kanta Basan (PEKB) coal mine in Surguja, Chhattisgarh, has become the state’s first coal mine – and among the first in India – to achieve energy self-sufficiency through solar power. This was achieved with the commissioning of a 9 MW solar power plant developed by Mundra Solar PV Ltd., a subsidiary of Adani Green Energy Ltd.

The solar facility, spread across 30 acres of reclaimed mine land, is now powering PEKB’s internal operations entirely through clean energy. This shift not only aligns with India’s broader renewable energy goals but also offers a powerful demonstration of how traditional industries can adopt low-carbon practices without compromising productivity.

Rajesh Agrawal, MLA of Ambikapur, who inaugurated the solar plant, called it a benchmark for future mining practices. 

“This is a proud moment for Chhattisgarh. The successful integration of solar energy into a coal mine operation shows that industrial progress and sustainability can go hand in hand,” he said.

Community Development Alongside Clean Energy

Beyond clean energy adoption, the PEKB mine has invested in extensive social and environmental initiatives. To date, it has facilitated the planting of over 1.56 million trees in the region and offers free, English-medium education to more than 1,000 children through schools supported by the project.

Officials emphasised that this is more than a standalone solar plant. “We are creating a template for responsible mining – one that balances energy needs, local development, and climate responsibility,” said an official associated with the project.

Located in the Udaipur block of Chhattisgarh, PEKB supplies coal to meet the electricity needs of nearly 80 million people in Rajasthan. The solar transition further enhances its role as a progressive force in India’s evolving energy landscape.

The success of the PEKB initiative sets a strong precedent for other coal mines to follow. As India pushes towards its 2030 renewable goals, efforts like these serve as blueprints for clean energy integration in even the most conventional sectors.