LONDON

Around the world, from Türkiye to China and Canada to Greece, closed coal mines are being repurposed for solar energy in a growing trend that combines clean electricity generation with regional development and environmental restoration.

Though still emerging, coal-to-solar conversion projects are gaining ground. Experts say the approach not only boosts renewable energy capacity but also supports land rehabilitation, community revitalization and local employment.

A recent report by the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) estimated that 103 gigawatts of solar capacity could be installed on decommissioned open-pit coal mines in the past five years, with another 185 gigawatts potentially available at mines expected to close within the next five years.

The shift could also generate an estimated 260,000 permanent jobs globally – a step toward what many experts call a “just transition” away from fossil fuels.

Duygu Kutluay, a campaigner for Beyond Fossil Fuels, told Anadolu that open-pit mining areas linked to coal-fired power plants are ideal for solar installations because of their large areas. They also offer cost advantages as they are already connected to transformer stations and transmission lines.

“Examples we see more frequently around the world show that former coal fields can be transformed into projects that not only generate energy, but also revive local economies, create jobs and training opportunities and engage communities in the process,” she said.

- China leads in mine-to-solar transformation

China, the world’s top coal producer and consumer, currently leads in converting former mines into solar farms.

According to GEM, China has 90 operating projects generating around 14 gigawatts of electricity, with over half located in Inner Mongolia. Others are spread across provinces such as Ningxia, Shandong, Shanxi and Anhui.

Another 46 projects, totaling 9 gigawatts, are under development.

Cheng Cheng Wu, project manager for GEM’s Energy Transition Tracker, said government support has played a crucial role in such projects, particularly in China.

“Former mine lands are underrated resources,” Wu told Anadolu, noting that over 90% of closed coal mines are within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of grid connection points – a major advantage for solar developers.

“If the solar industry is facing so many land conflicts nowadays, these coal mines should be among the first priorities, because they’re not being used and pose fewer conflicts with local communities,” she said.

Wu emphasized that mine-to-solar initiatives contribute to a just transition by replacing lost coal jobs with employment in construction, maintenance and local services.

- Europe transforms industrial past

European countries are also repurposing industrial sites into clean energy assets.

In Germany, the Witznitz Solar Park – built on a former coal mine – is Europe’s largest solar farm, producing 605 megawatts of electricity, with the possibility to expand by another 45 megawatts.

In Greece, the 204-megawatt solar plant in Kozani, the country’s main lignite region, provides clean power to 75,000 households, marking the first stage of a 3-gigawatt plan to convert lignite fields into solar zones.

Other examples include a 44-megawatt installation at Canada’s largest former coal plant, a 70-megawatt facility in Poland’s Adamow region, a 16-megawatt project in Hungary’s Visonta basin, a 5-megawatt solar site at the Askern coal mine in the UK and a 5-megawatt plant built on an old copper mine in the US state of Vermont.

- Türkiye joins the global shift

Türkiye has also joined the growing list of countries embracing the mine-to-solar model.

Kutluay cited Türkiye’s 2022 report Solar Potential of Coal Fields, which found that installing solar panels on open-pit coal mines could meet the annual electricity needs of 6.9 million households.

Two former mine sites currently host 5-megawatt solar power plants – one in Soma, Manisa province, and another in Can, Canakkale province – both operated by the Turkish Coal Enterprises (TKI). Together, they generate about 18 million kilowatt-hours annually, enough to cover their operational needs.

New projects are planned in Kutahya and Kahramanmaras provinces. Once completed, Türkiye’s total mine-to-solar capacity will reach 24 megawatts, producing an estimated 41 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

Although modest compared to Türkiye’s total solar capacity of 24.2 gigawatts, these pilot projects are seen as models for rehabilitating post-coal sites.

Solar now accounts for around 20% of Türkiye’s total installed capacity of 121.4 gigawatts, according to data from September 2025.

- A blueprint for clean growth

Experts argue that converting former coal sites into solar farms is one of the most effective ways to build a low-carbon economy while restoring land, creating jobs and generating clean energy.

Scaling up such projects will require clear national strategies, financial incentives and collaboration between governments, energy companies and local communities, they add.

“Türkiye, like many countries, has rich renewable potential,” Kutluay said, explaining that planning is now required for how to gradually phase out coal in electricity generation.

As energy demand grows and climate goals tighten, the world’s abandoned coal mines – once symbols of decline – may become cornerstones of a sustainable energy future.

* Handan Kazanci in Istanbul contributed to this story.