A new report from Global Energy Monitor (GEM) shows that transforming recently closed surface coal mines into solar power plants could generate nearly 300 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The analysis highlights over 300 coal mines that have shut down since 2020, with more expected to close by the decade’s end, covering nearly 5,820 square kilometers of land. Many of these sites are located close to existing electrical grids, making them ideal for installing large-scale solar panels. Repurposing these former mining areas not only puts unused land to good environmental use but also offers economic opportunities for communities impacted by coal’s decline.
The report also emphasizes the significant employment benefits of this transition, projecting over 250,000 permanent jobs and more than 300,000 temporary jobs from developing solar farms on these lands—potentially offsetting coal industry job losses. This strategy supports global decarbonization goals by turning former fossil fuel sites into clean energy hubs. Countries with large coal mining sectors like the US, Australia, India, and Indonesia could particularly benefit from this approach, accelerating renewable energy growth and reducing carbon emissions by leveraging existing infrastructure and land resources. More