Construction of large-scale solar container project at accra coal mine

Could solar power be built on abandoned coal mines?

These abandoned coal mines are predisposed to renewables siting with grid-adjacent and even pre-cleared acreage. If these potential solar projects came to fruition, the world could build almost 300 GW of solar capacity on mined out lands by the end of 2030.

How much solar power can a coal mine hold?

The first-time analysis shows that over 300 surface coal mines recently out of commission could house around 103 GW of photovoltaic (PV) solar capacity, and upcoming closures of large operations could host an additional 185 GW of solar across 127 sites (see Methodology).

Can a solar farm be built on a coal mine?

While building a solar farm on a coal mine could require a slightly higher LCOE compared to an ideal greenfield project, public subsidies and incentives (like tax credits in the U.S.) can create economics that outperform greenfield projects.

Are coal mines repurposing solar?

The coal mines identified for repurposing between 2020 and 2030 offer a wide range of solar opportunities. About one-third of the 438 coal mine sites are suitable for community-scale solar projects, whereas the majority are capable of supporting larger, utility-scale solar developments.

How many coal-to-renewable transition projects are there?

GEM has compiled preliminary data on at least 100 active coal-to-renewable transition projects globally (including 41 former coal mine sites), with additional projects being announced each month. Thirty-seven of these initiatives involve converting coal mines into solar energy facilities.

Could repurposing coal-to-solar power power a 103 GW solar power project?

GEM’s Global Coal Mine Tracker, a comprehensive dataset of coal mines, has identified 311 surface coal mines that have been idled and degraded since 2020. These abandoned mines sprawl over 2,089 km², an area nearly the size of Luxembourg. With repurposing, these coal-to-solar projects could site 103 GW of solar power capacity on derelict lands.