India Odisha Opens 9000 Hectares of Mining Land for Renewables
Odisha is uniquely positioned to accelerate its energy transition and industrial diversification after a new assessment identified nearly 9,000 hectares of idle mining land that can be repurposed for renewable energy and green industries over the next decade. The opportunity comes as India aims for 500 GW of non-fossil electricity by 2030 and a net-zero emissions economy by 2070, reinforcing how strategic land reuse can de-risk conventional acquisition challenges while catalysing low-carbon growth.
The report, ‘Repurposing Mining Land in Odisha: Opportunities for Catalysing Odisha’s Low-Carbon Development,’ highlights land parcels from closed and soon-to-close coal and non-coal mines in districts such as Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and Keonjhar. About 70 per cent of this land is deemed suitable for renewable energy infrastructure such as solar parks and wind projects, as well as manufacturing facilities that support clean energy value chains.For urban planners and energy investors, this large contiguous land bank offers an unusually ready pipeline of investment-oriented sites, which could help Odisha accelerate deployment of solar and wind capacity while anchoring green industrial clusters. With the state’s renewable target set at about 10.95 GW by 2030, unlocking mining land reduces the lead time and regulatory friction typically associated with fresh land acquisition — a common barrier to scaling clean energy projects in India.
The distribution of available land — approximately 2,835 ha in coal mine areas and 6,123 ha in non-coal mining zones — reflects the shifting economic geography of Odisha’s resource base. Coal parcels are chiefly located in Angul, a long-established industrial hub, while non-coal sites are concentrated in the iron ore belt of Keonjhar.Experts say that repurposing former mining land could also help mitigate socio-economic risks tied to mine closures. As extractive operations wind down, local communities face job losses and economic contraction. Transitioning these lands to renewable energy and associated industrial uses — such as green hydrogen production, energy storage, or component manufacturing — could create new employment avenues and broaden economic resilience. Independent assessments similarly emphasise that properly reclaimed mining land can support not only energy infrastructure, but also green manufacturing and services, bolstering inclusive regional development.
However, the transition is not without complexity. Non-coal mine lands often occur in smaller, ecologically sensitive areas, including zones near forests and tribal settlements, requiring differentiated planning to balance industrial use with environmental protection and community rights. Strategic zoning, integrated land-use policy and stakeholder engagement will be vital to ensure that development does not displace biodiversity or local livelihoods.
Odisha’s move to reimagine mined land for clean energy aligns with broader national priorities to decarbonise India’s electricity mix and industrial base. The state’s existing renewable tenders and incentives, coupled with spatially ready parcels, present a compelling case for scale-up. For policymakers and investors, the key ahead will be operationalising this land bank in ways that unlock capital, sustain employment, and embed sustainability into India’s next generation of energy and industrial infrastructure.
