Green is the new black: Muswellbrook and the coal-to-renewables transition
In Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Australia, we show what the future of energy can look like by transforming a decommissioned coal mine into a modern solar farm and energy storage facility. This is a clear example of the coal-to-renewables transition, turning land once used for fossil fuel extraction into a source of clean, renewable energy.
The Muswellbrook Solar Farm & Battery hybrid project will feature a 135 MWac solar installation alongside a 100 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), spread across 482 hectares.
Located within the Hunter Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), the site benefits from an established grid connection. We received EPBC environmental approval during 2025 and commenced construction in May 2026.
But Muswellbrook is not an isolated example. The greatest potential for solar redevelopment on mine lands is found in some of the world’s largest coal-producing countries, including Australia. Researchers estimate that repurposing recently closed coal mines for solar could add nearly 300 GW of renewable energy worldwide by 2030.
Reclaiming land, restoring ecosystems
As coal mines close, the land they occupy offers a unique opportunity: it can be reclaimed for renewable energy while restoring surrounding ecosystems.
Beyond energy production, the coal-to-renewables transition can improve air and water quality, support local communities, and even provide opportunities to reskill former coal workers for renewable energy jobs.
For OX2, Muswellbrook is more than a solar and battery project, it’s a symbol of the energy transition itself. It shows that energy production, sustainability, and community can coexist.
Muswellbrook Solar Farm & Battery
The project is located within the Traditional lands of the Wonnarua people. OX2 wishes to acknowledge them as traditional custodians of the land and pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people past and present. We acknowledge their continuous connection to Country.
Read more about the Muswellbrook Solar Farm & Battery project here.
Published 2026-05-18
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