India is on the brink of turning an environmental challenge into a clean energy breakthrough. India’s abandoned coal mines, once symbols of industrial decline, now offer a powerful opportunity for solar energy development. Spanning vast, underutilized landscapes across the nation, these disused sites are drawing attention for their immense potential to host solar infrastructure.
Recent studies have identified these mines as prime candidates for large-scale solar installations. Repurposing them could significantly expand India’s renewable energy capacity while helping to meet growing power demands. Beyond energy generation, this transition holds promise for creating new jobs, stimulating rural economies, and breathing life back into regions left behind by the coal era.
Overview of India’s Abandoned Coal Mines
Across India, 63 coal mine sites lie abandoned, covering over 500 square kilometres. If utilized for solar power, these areas could collectively generate around 27.11 gigawatts—nearly 37% of India’s current solar capacity. States like Telangana, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have emerged as hotspots, ranking among the global top 20 in terms of available land from closed mines.
A Global Trend: From Coal Dependency to Solar Opportunity
Worldwide, coal continues to dominate energy production, with around 3,800 operational coal mines supplying 95% of the global coal demand. However, a shift is underway—33 countries have committed to phasing out coal, leading to the inevitable closure of many mines. This global transformation opens up significant potential for repurposing mine lands into solar farms.
Environmental Hazards of Abandoned Mines
These dormant mine sites aren’t just idle—they’re risky. One pressing concern is methane emissions, a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term. Unchecked, these emissions contribute to climate change. Furthermore, abandoned mines can become physical hazards, posing risks of structural collapse, water contamination, and accidental fatalities.
International Solar Potential on Former Mine Lands
India isn’t alone in this opportunity. Countries such as Australia, Indonesia, and the United States also possess large tracts of abandoned surface mines ideal for solar redevelopment. Research identifies 28 countries with suitable land, collectively holding the potential to generate around 288 gigawatts of solar power. Proximity to existing power grid infrastructure further enhances the viability of these projects.
Solar Transition as an Employment Engine
The shift from coal to solar isn’t just ecological—it’s economic. A complete transformation of abandoned mines into solar power hubs could create approximately 259,700 permanent jobs, with an additional 317,500 temporary roles during construction and setup. This job creation potential could more than offset projected employment losses in the coal industry by 2035.
Barriers to Solar Development on Mine Sites
Despite the promise, challenges persist. Community resistance, particularly around land use and environmental justice, has slowed progress in some areas. Ambiguity in land ownership and usage rights further complicates development efforts. Many closed mines fall into legal grey areas, lacking clear guidelines for transitioning to renewable energy infrastructure.
A Bright Future on Once-Dark Lands
Abandoned coal mines, long seen as symbols of industrial decline and environmental damage, now stand at the threshold of a sustainable transformation. With careful policy, community engagement, and investment, these sites could become the next frontier of India’s solar revolution—lighting homes, powering industries, and fueling a cleaner future.
