European and american coal mine solar container

How many coal mines can be repurposed for solar?

In total, that means an estimated 446 coal mines and 5,820 km² of abandoned land that could be repurposed for solar projects and generate nearly 300 GW of renewable energy. That’s a huge amount - equivalent to around 15 per cent of globally installed solar capacity today.

Could repurposing abandoned mines be a solar hub?

Solar farms often compete with agriculture and ecosystems, but repurposing abandoned mines could offer a solution. We assess global open-pit mining sites as potential solar hubs, analysing their technical feasibility and deployment timelines under diverse future scenarios.

Which countries are ready for a coal-to-solar transition?

The next four major coal producers above hold nearly three-quarters of the global potential for coal-to-solar transitions, the analysts found. In Europe, the report singles out Greece - which is “exceptionally well-suited” for turning old coal mines into solar plants.

Could a 300 GW solar farm power Germany?

“The same ground that powered the industrial era can help power the climate solutions we now urgently need,” analysts say of the 300 GW solution. Converting abandoned or soon-to-close coal mines into solar farms could provide enough power to meet the demands of a country the size of Germany, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis.

Can Greece turn old coal mines into solar?

In Europe, the report singles out Greece - which is “exceptionally well-suited” for turning old coal mines into solar plants. An average solar potential of 4.45 kilowatts per square meter (kW/m²), a fast-approaching coal phaseout goal of 2026, and a supportive financing environment as an EU member state all make Greece ripe for this transition.

How many abandoned coal mines will be repurposed?

Its Global Coal Mine Tracker (GCMT) finds that a further 3,731 km² of mine land is set to be abandoned by operators before the end of 2030 as reserves are run down. In total, that means an estimated 446 coal mines and 5,820 km² of abandoned land that could be repurposed for solar projects and generate nearly 300 GW of renewable energy.