National Roadmap: Solarisation of Closed & Reclaimed Coal Mines in India

About the Initiative The National Roadmap: Solarisation of Closed & Reclaimed Coal Mines in India is a flagship initiative led by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The project seeks to transform abandoned, closed, and reclaimed coal mines into productive renewable energy hubs, directly supporting India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Beyond clean energy generation, the initiative addresses land-use conflicts and promotes sustainable land restoration, turning degraded mining tracts into long-term socio-economic assets that foster green livelihoods for coal-dependent regions.

Core Objectives To operationalize this vision, the project focuses on developing a data-driven national framework rooted in scientific site selection, technical feasibility, and strategic policy planning. Key objectives include conducting comprehensive GIS-based mapping of mine sites across India, preparing bankable Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for high-potential locations, and evaluating green job creation opportunities. Additionally, the project will establish phased policy recommendations aligned with national renewable energy and mine closure goals extending across 2030, 2040, and 2047 horizons.

Integrated Approach The study adopts an integrated, evidence-based approach that connects technical assessments and spatial planning with socio-economic and policy analysis. By combining rigorous site evaluations with stakeholder consultations, the initiative will produce practical planning tools, strategic insights, and policy frameworks. This methodology ensures that the repurposing of mine lands is not only scalable and technically viable, but also deeply aligned with India's broader just transition and clean energy objectives.

Stakeholder Coalition Realizing this transformation requires a collaborative ecosystem spanning government, industry, and grassroots communities. The initiative brings together key actors, including the Ministry of Coal (MoC), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Coal India Limited (CIL), the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), and the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO). By engaging state renewable energy agencies, local Panchayats, civil society organizations, clean energy developers, and impacted communities, the project ensures that mine land repurposing remains economically viable, technically sound, and socially inclusive.