PEKB becomes first solar-powered coal mine in Chhattisgarh

📰 IN NEWS — PEKB: India’s First Solar-Powered Coal Mine (Chhattisgarh)

⚡ Key Facts

• Location: Parsa East & Kanta Basan (PEKB) coal block, Surguja district, Chhattisgarh
• Operator: Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RRVUNL)
• Power Supply: Now runs entirely on solar energy — achieving complete energy self-reliance

☀️ 9 MW Solar Power Facility

• Developed by: Mundra Solar PV Ltd (subsidiary of Adani Green Energy Ltd)
• Commissioned on: 15 June 2025 (inaugurated by Rajesh Agrawal, MLA Ambikapur)
• Spread over: 30 acres of reclaimed mining land
• Expected Impact:
  • Offset ~4 lakh tonnes of CO₂ emissions over 25 years
  • Equals planting 2.5 million trees
  • Reduces operational carbon footprint in mining sector

🏗 Significance

• PEKB supplies coal for electricity generation to serve ~80 million consumers in Rajasthan
• Sets a national precedent for renewable-powered mining operations
• Supports India’s goals on clean energy transition, energy security & climate action

🚛 Related Green Initiative

• India’s first hydrogen fuel cell truckdeployed on 10 May 2025
  • Operated by Adani Enterprises at a Chhattisgarh coal block
  • Features: 3 hydrogen tanks, 40-ton cargo capacity, ~200 km range
  • Aim: Cleaner logistics transport in mining sector
    
    Updated - 15 Jun 2025, 2:22 pm | https://www.newindianexpress.com/