842GW clean energy potential! Study calls for rezoning of golf course land

A new study has found that golf courses around the world occupy more land area than solar or wind power plants. Researchers say that the 10 countries with the most golf courses can install up to 842GW of utility scale solar energy or 659GW of wind energy on land equivalent to the course area, exceeding the cumulative solar capacity of 646GW currently installed in these 10 countries.

Researchers say that golf courses typically require large amounts of water and chemical treatment, and renewable energy facilities provide a sustainable land use option, requiring approximately 0.01 square kilometers of land per megawatt for utility scale solar power plants. The researchers stated that this discovery "highlights the importance of rethinking land use priorities to accelerate the untapped potential of transitioning to renewable energy.

Pictured: A 100MW PV station repurposed from an abandoned golf course in Japan.

However, this study does not advocate for the direct renovation of golf courses, but rather emphasizes the enormous potential for renewable energy development in areas of the same size that have not been fully utilized. Given the current debate on renewable energy land use, it is crucial to consider how to allocate land, especially when a large amount of space is used for activities that benefit only a limited portion of the population.