China’s energy sector is witnessing contrasting trends, with coal-fired power generation rising sharply even as the country sets new records in renewable energy capacity.
According to recent industry data, coal plants were ramped up to meet surging electricity demand driven by industrial growth, summer heatwaves, and regional power shortages. Despite aggressive renewable energy expansion, coal continues to play a dominant role in stabilizing the grid and ensuring reliable supply.
At the same time, China is adding renewable energy at an unprecedented pace. Solar and wind installations have reached record levels, with the country leading the world in both capacity and new project rollouts. The growing share of renewables highlights Beijing’s commitment to its long-term climate goals, though the immediate reliance on coal underscores the challenges of balancing clean energy transition with economic and power security needs.
Experts suggest that while coal’s role may remain strong in the short term, the rapid scale-up of renewable projects, energy storage solutions, and grid modernization could gradually reduce dependency on fossil fuels over the coming decade.