This study presents an analytical framework supporting coal regions in a strategy toward the clean energy transition. The proposed approach uses a combination of value chain analysis and energy sector analysis that enables a comprehensive assessment considering local specificities. Its application to a case study of the Slovakian region Upper Nitra demonstrates practical examples of opportunities and challenges. The value chain analysis evaluates the coal mining industry, from coal extraction to electricity generation, in terms of jobs and business that are at risk by the closure of the coal mines. The complementary energy system analysis focuses on diversification of the energy mix, environmental impacts, and feasibility assessment of alternative energy technologies to the coal combusting sources. The results show a net positive cost benefit for all developed scenarios of replacing the local existing coal power plant. Although the installation of a new geothermal plant is estimated to be the most expensive option from our portfolio of scenarios, it presents the highest CO₂ reduction in the electricity generation in Slovakia—34% less compare to the system employing the existing power plant. In addition, the development of a new industrial polo around deep geothermal technology can boost the economic activity in the region by attracting investments in companies providing geological exploration services, transferring the local knowledge from the coal mining industry into an emerging sector.

This paper presents a roadmap performed in 2010 as part of a European project for the modelling of carbon capture and storage technology, and various scenarios with different taxations and permit prices for the CO₂ emissions considering the Greek national plans, then the gradual decommissioning of various lignite or other units of electricity power plants. In addition, this study presents a first check, 10 years after its writing, of the current situation of the Greek energy system, regarding the correspondence of the roadmap designed in 2010 to what has been finally executed during this period, including the possibility of other energy sources complimenting or substituting the national strategic energy plans. For this purpose, the integrated MARKAL-EFOM system (TIMES) was employed to model the Greek energy system and evaluate its development over time, until 2040, by analyzing three different scenarios with respect to taxation and permit prices for carbon emissions. The results obtained show that, if this study had been considered and executed by the different stakeholders during that period, then the implementation of CCS in the new licensed power plants from 2010 and onwards could reduce the use of lignite and imported hard coal power production in a much smoother and beneficial way in the next years, and until the present, without compromising any major power plants. This implementation would also make the transition to a lignite free economy in Greece much faster and better, while complimenting the EU regulations and also enhancing the possible greater use of alternative energy sources in the green energy mixture.