China Expands Coal Power Capacity Despite Renewable Energy Growth

China continues to increase its coal power generation capacity, adding more coal-fired power plants to its energy grid than it has in the past nine years. This development comes despite the nation's impressive expansion in renewable energy sources.

According to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea), China has connected coal power plants with a total capacity of 21 gigawatts to the grid in the first half of 2025, marking the highest total for this period since 2015. Experts predict that the total capacity added in 2025 could exceed 80 gigawatts.

The ongoing reliance on coal in China reflects a broader trend where coal remains an integral part of the energy system, as stated by analyst Christine Shearer. While China leads the world in the deployment of renewable energies, the country's government continues to invest heavily in coal to ensure energy stability during periods when renewable sources cannot meet demand.

In parallel with coal expansion, China is also significantly ramping up its renewable energy projects. The Crea anticipates that over 500 gigawatts of wind and solar energy capacity will be added by the end of 2025. In comparison, Germany added approximately 20 gigawatts of renewable capacity in 2024, which includes solar, wind, and biomass energy, bringing its total to around 190 gigawatts.

Recent analyses indicate that the growth of renewable energy in China is contributing to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. Specifically, emissions fell by 1% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year, with the energy sector, as the largest emitter, reducing its CO2 output by 3%.

Despite the increase in renewable energy, the continued investment in coal raises concerns about wasted resources, as noted by Crea analyst Qi Qin. The Chinese government often resorts to coal power when renewable energy generation is insufficient, yet there are criticisms regarding the limited flexibility in how coal power plants are utilized.

In the first half of 2025, Beijing authorized new coal projects with a total capacity of 25 gigawatts, while new and revived applications account for another 75 gigawatts. Analysts speculate that project developers are taking advantage of the timeline leading up to 2030, when China aims to reach its peak carbon emissions. However, the specific energy and climate goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan, covering 2026 to 2030, remain uncertain.

As the world's second-largest economy, China plays a crucial role in the global fight against climate change. The international community had previously reached agreements, such as during the Glasgow climate conference, to phase out coal to combat climate change, with China being a key participant in these discussions.