How utility-scale solar energy generation on rehabilitated mine lands can contribute to decarbonising the resources sector

Abstract

Abstract Many governments globally have climate change targets requiring rapid decarbonisation, calling for significant renewable energy generation. Utility-scale solar arrays will consume large swathes of land. Rehabilitated mine lands present a unique opportunity to host renewable utility-scale solar and reduce land use conflicts. There is however, to date, insufficient in-depth discussion of this opportunity and barriers to implementation in the academic literature. This paper describes challenges facing the resources industry, using Queensland’s coal sector as a case study, then outlines some of the opportunities that accompany those challenges. Five reasons for reassessing the role of rehabilitated lands for utility-scale solar energy generation are presented – increasing demand for renewable energy, the global decarbonisation agenda, transformation in regional mining economies, as a progressive rehabilitation and post-mining land use, and a solution to reduce land use conflict. The barriers, perceived and actual, must be addressed and broken down to facilitate greater uptake of utility-scale solar onto rehabilitated mine lands. This can allow for a more orderly energy transition, and growth in renewable energy production that matches decarbonising and energy demand pathways, in the right locations and at the right time – with good planning and industry support.