PEKB Becomes Chhattisgarh’s First Coal Mine Fully Powered by Solar

In a major leap toward sustainable mining practices, the Parsa East and Kanta Basan (PEKB) coal mine in Chhattisgarh has become the state’s first to operate entirely on solar energy.

According to a Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RRVUNL) spokesperson, the facility has now achieved complete energy self-reliance. Supplying coal vital for electricity generation to nearly 80 million consumers in Rajasthan, PEKB’s shift to solar energy marks a significant environmental milestone. The 9 MW solar plant, developed by Mundra Solar PV Ltd.,  a subsidiary of Adani Green Energy Ltd., is expected to reduce nearly 400,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over the next 25 years, equivalent to planting 2.5 million trees.

The solar facility, set up within the mining area and spread across 30 acres of reclaimed land, was inaugurated by Rajesh Agrawal, MLA from Ambikapur. The bhoomi pujan for the project was conducted last June by Rajasthan Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar.

The development contract for PEKB was awarded to Adani Enterprises through a competitive bidding process by the Rajasthan government. Environmentalists have lauded the initiative, calling it a landmark step for both energy security and environmental conservation in the mining sector.

Further pushing green innovation, on May 10, Adani Enterprises also deployed India’s first hydrogen fuel cell truck at the PEKB site. Each truck, designed for mining logistics, carries up to 40 tonnes over 200 kilometers using three hydrogen tanks and smart tech for cleaner transportation.

This twin boost of solar power and hydrogen logistics positions PEKB as a national model for sustainable mining transformation.