Former Coal Mines Become Europe’s Largest Solar Power Hub

Greece has transformed former lignite mines into Europe’s largest solar cluster, generating clean energy for hundreds of thousands of homes and accelerating the country’s energy transition.

“Western Macedonia is now emerging as the country’s new green energy hub,” said Konstantinos Mavros, deputy chief executive for renewable energy at PPC Group.

The completed projects deliver 2.13 gigawatts of solar capacity, producing 3,150 gigawatt hours annually, enough to power around 750,000 households and supply nearly 6% of national electricity demand. The installations are expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 1.5 million tonnes each year, while new battery and pumped-hydro storage systems will strengthen grid stability. Built on former mining land, the development demonstrates how fossil fuel regions can be repurposed as large-scale clean energy centres, delivering long-term economic and environmental benefits.