India has the fourth highest potential in the world to generate solar power from abandoned coal mines, with new research suggesting the country could reclaim hundreds of square kilometers of degraded land to meet rising energy needs and create jobs.
The Global Energy Monitor (GEM) analysis identified over 63 disused mine sites across India, covering more than 500 square kilometers, which could collectively generate 27.11 gigawatts (GW) of solar power—equivalent to nearly 37 per cent of the country’s current installed solar capacity.
Within India, Telangana, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh feature among the top 20 global regions with the highest land availability from closed or soon-to-be-closed mines. These four states alone could generate over 22 GW of solar power, the report found.
Indian states featured among the top 20 global regions with the highest land availability from closed or soon-to-be-closed mines.
Globally, over 3,800 coal mines are currently operational, producing 95 per cent of the world’s coal. But with 33 countries committing to phase out coal, hundreds of these sites are expected to shut down and abandoned in the coming years.
These vast stretches of degraded land are often left without proper cleanup or reclamation due to weak government enforcement. While some national and state laws require mining companies to set aside funds for proper closure and site reclamation, enforcement is frequently weak. As the report notes, “As a global practice, this cleanup rarely happens.”
Abandoned coal mines also pose environmental and safety risks, with one of them being methane leakage. The greenhouse gas, which has a warming potential 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, can continue seeping from exposed coal seams and fractured rock long after mining has ceased unless proactive measures are taken.
For instance, recently closed underground mines in the European Union still emit nearly 200,000 tonnes of methane each year. Improperly managed sites can also lead to fatal accidents and long-term damage. In India, roof collapses at illegally operated abandoned mines have proved deadly. In Pennsylvania, abandoned mine voids have caused sinkholes under parks and residential areas. In South Africa, they’ve led to polluted water supplies and degraded agricultural land.
Global solar potential
Beyond India, other major coal producers including Australia, Indonesia and the United States also show considerable promise for solar redevelopment on former mine lands. GEM’s analysis identified 28 countries with recently abandoned surface coal mines suitable for solar conversion, offering a total potential of 288 GW.
Of this, over 300 recently closed surface mines could accommodate around 103 GW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity, while another 127 sites expected to close soon could add another 185 GW. Together, this is roughly equivalent to Germany’s annual electricity consumption.
A key advantage is that most former coal sites are located near existing grid infrastructure. The analysis finds that 96 per cent of recently abandoned coal mines are within 10 kilometer of a transmission grid and 91 per cent are similarly close to a connection point such as a substation.
There are numerous potential employment benefits of such a transition. Repurposing abandoned coal sites for solar energy could create an estimated 259,700 permanent jobs across manufacturing, wholesale trade, distribution and professional services. In addition, the transition could support 317,500 temporary and construction jobs, outweighing projected coal job losses globally by 2035.
Some countries are already embracing this transition. China leads with 90 coal-to-solar conversions (14 GW) and another 45 projects (9 GW) in the pipeline. In total, 15 countries have initiated renewable energy projects on former coal mines, though most remain in early stages.
However, converting disused coal mines into solar parks is not without challenges. In Bianjiaqu, China, residents have accused developers of ignoring local concerns, damaging fertile farmland and failing to provide adequate compensation. In several countries across the Global South, large-scale solar projects have attracted criticism for acquiring land under the guise of environmental benefit while bypassing community consultation.
Another major hurdle is determining land ownership. In India, many closed coal mines have remained idle due to a lack of clear policies governing closure and the return of land rights. The report emphasized, “In many instances, these abandoned mines, often not officially closed, are directly transferred to renewable energy or afforestation projects, bypassing the return of land to local communities. Addressing this issue is critical to prevent the replication of unjust land ownership regimes in the renewable energy sector.”
Hence we come to the conclusion that it is the best time to establish solar parks across the country for the rising power needs that needs to be fulfilled in the upcoming 10 to 20 years.
Sources: Global Energy Monitor (GEM) and some personal research.