Renewable Energy Projects Transform a Coal Mining Town in Inner Mongolia

In August, photovoltaic panels were installed on a previously reclaimed area of the Changxu coal mine in Narisong, located in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. This project is part of a broader strategy to utilize renewable energy, specifically solar energy, in hydrogen production.

Despite the ongoing existence of coal mining in certain regions, renewable energy is becoming essential to China’s green energy efforts. In Narisong, the local government and industries are working together to minimize environmental damage, support sustainable development, and enhance economic benefits for residents. The townspeople, numbering around 30,000, have witnessed improvements in air quality alongside financial gains in the past five years due to green initiatives.

The community’s collectives reported earnings of 14.4 million yuan (approximately $2 million) in dividends last year, a significant improvement attributed to government-led planning efforts started in 2020. The initiative sought to transform a town overly reliant on coal into a sustainable model of growth that also accommodated villages without coal resources. The government established Juhe Industrial Co to manage ecological rehabilitation and sustainable development efficiently.

Juhe Industrial Co, supported by local funding, focuses on reducing the environmental footprint of mining operations. Its scope includes mine restoration, environmental clean-up, equipment leasing, and waste management. Mining companies are now required to contribute funds for ecological restoration, demonstrating a commitment to restoring lands affected by mining activities. This collaborative effort has enabled the reclamation of approximately 10,000 hectares of land in Narisong, with 14 green mines adopting eco-conscious practices.

The company has created job opportunities for locals, particularly in property services, significantly boosting their income. For example, truck driver Liu Meijun, who previously worked far from home, now earns a stable monthly income, enhancing his quality of life. Older residents have also found employment opportunities, allowing them to care for family members while contributing to community revitalization.

Juhe Industrial Co’s financial successes have permitted it to allocate 10 percent of its profits to assist locals facing hardship, while ensuring substantial dividends for villages and reinvesting in the company’s future. Revitalized land is now being utilized for solar farms and medicinal herb cultivation, with a large solar project underway, expected to create numerous jobs and provide stable income for local communities.

In this transformed landscape, villagers like Nie Jianjun find new opportunities in solar panel maintenance and leasing land for additional income. Encouraged by government support, residents are now experiencing diversified revenue streams, from equitable dividends to wages and land rentals, enhancing their financial stability and quality of life.