Beijing – China is simultaneously expanding its renewable energy capacity at a record pace while also significantly increasing its reliance on coal-fired power generation, a development that is raising concerns about the country’s commitment to curbing carbon emissions and achieving its climate goals.
Despite installing a record 434 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar capacity in 2025 and with renewable energy accounting for over 60 percent of total installed power generation capacity, China commissioned 78 GW of new coal power capacity in the same year, according to figures released on . This represents a sharp increase from previous years, with more than 50 large coal units – each with a generating capacity of 1 GW or more – becoming operational, compared to fewer than 20 annually over the previous decade.
The scale of this coal power buildout is “staggering,” according to Christine Shearer, co-author of a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Global Energy Monitor (GEM). “In 2025 alone, China commissioned more coal power capacity than India did over the entire past decade,” Shearer stated.
The surge in coal plant construction follows energy shortages experienced in 2021 and 2022, which prompted the Chinese government to prioritize energy security. These shortages led to temporary factory closures and rolling blackouts, raising concerns about the reliability of the power supply. The government responded by signaling its intention to increase coal capacity, leading to a surge in applications and approvals for new coal plants.
Currently, there are 291 GW of coal power projects in the pipeline – units that have been proposed, are under construction, or have already been permitted – suggesting that a substantial amount of new coal capacity could come online in the near future. Construction began on 83 GW of coal power in 2025 alone, indicating continued momentum in this sector.
While the growth of renewable energy has slightly reduced coal’s share of total power generation – falling by approximately 1 percent in 2025 – experts warn that the expansion of coal capacity could undermine China’s climate objectives. The concern is that the new coal plants will lock in years of polluting energy production and potentially become stranded assets if China successfully transitions to a cleaner energy system.
The Chinese government maintains that coal will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring a stable and reliable power supply, particularly as a backup for intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. The National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planning agency, has stated that coal should “play an important supporting and balancing role” in the coming years. The China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association also emphasized the continued necessity of coal for maintaining grid stability, even as other energy sources gain prominence.
However, analysts at CREA and GEM argue that the sheer volume of new coal capacity being added could hinder the transition to cleaner energy sources. They suggest that political and financial pressures will incentivize the continued operation of coal plants, potentially crowding out investment in renewables. The report urges China to accelerate the retirement of aging and inefficient coal plants and to commit to ensuring that emissions from the power sector do not increase between 2025 and 2030 in its next five-year plan, due to be approved in March.
The effectiveness of China’s clean energy growth in limiting emissions from coal power will depend on whether the role of coal is genuinely limited to providing backup and support, rather than serving as a primary source of power generation, according to Qi Qin, an analyst at CREA and co-author of the report.
The situation highlights the complex balancing act China faces as it attempts to meet its growing energy demands, ensure energy security, and address its climate commitments. The country added 315 GW of solar capacity and 119 GW of wind capacity in 2025, demonstrating its commitment to renewable energy. However, the simultaneous expansion of coal power raises questions about whether these efforts will be sufficient to achieve its long-term environmental goals.
