China coal power projects surge despite clean energy growth

China has logged an increase in coal power projects in the first half (H1) of 2025, suggesting a resurgence in coal dependency despite the nation's clean energy advancements.

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Global Energy Monitor's latest review indicates a boom in commissioned coal projects, with the highest number of new and revived proposals in a decade.

In H1 2025, China commissioned 21GW of coal power, marking the highest amount for this period since 2016. Projections for the full year suggest that the total could exceed 80GW.

This follows a surge in coal power permitting during 2022-2023, with more than 100GW approved annually. The trend is expected to persist into 2026 and 2027 without policy intervention.

Despite a lower permitting rate of 25GW in H1 2025, new and revived coal power projects reached 75GW, the highest in ten years.

Construction starts and restarts amounted to 46GW, equivalent to South Korea's entire coal power capacity.

This indicates industry pressure to expand coal projects before China's 2030 carbon peaking deadline, contradicting the strategic phase-down needed to meet climate objectives.

CREA China analyst and lead author of the report Qi Qin said: “China’s clean energy boom is driving both economic growth and decarbonisation, but continued coal expansion risks holding it back.

“More coal power plants would not only waste investment, but also crowd out renewables–the real engine of China’s economic future. To ensure energy security and sustained economic growth, the priority now must be to build a more flexible power system, stop adding new coal power, and set a clear path for coal’s decline.”

Coal's share in China's power generation fell to a nine-year low of 51% in June 2025, comprising only 34% of the total installed capacity, while renewables reached 60%.

This shift highlights coal's declining role, despite efforts to expand its historic dominance.

China's 2022 pledge to relegate coal to a “flexible, supporting role” has seen little practical implementation.

Only 1GW of coal power was retired in H1 2025, far from the 14th Five-Year Plan's target of retiring 30GW by the end of 2025.

As China approaches its Nationally Determined Contributions and the 15th Five-Year Plan, the country faces a pivotal moment to establish binding targets and initiate policy reforms, potentially solidifying its position as a “leader” in the global energy transition.

Global Energy Monitor research analyst Christine Shearer said: “Coal power development in China in the first half of 2025 shows no sign of easing, leaving emissions on a high plateau and stranding coal in the system for years to come. To ensure meeting its carbon peaking deadline by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China must immediately commit to a set of strong policies to phase down coal power development and shut down high-emission and low-efficiency coal units.”

Story Continues"China coal power projects surge despite clean energy growth" was originally created and published by Energy Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand.

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