China is preparing to launch more than 100 new coal-fired power generator units in 2026. Out of 104 projects planned worldwide, 85 are in China alone, adding 55 GW to the global total of 63 GW. Other countries, including India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, are also building new units, with India contributing roughly 24 GW. “This highlights China’s role as a top driver of global electricity growth.”
Globally, 256 GW of new electricity-generating capacity is currently under construction, and China accounts for 212 GW of this total. This means that China will represent 86% of all new coal power expected to begin operation in 2026. In 2025, China already made up 78% of power capacity that came online, underscoring its central role in the global energy sector. The country’s focus ensures that electricity demands are met even as the world pushes for cleaner energy solutions.
Coal power remains a strong backbone of China’s energy supply, providing reliable electricity to support industrial growth and urban development. While China is investing in renewables, it still sees coal as an essential part of its energy mix. The scale of new projects underlines the country’s commitment to energy security and its ability to maintain stable power supplies despite growing demand.
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Coal Power Works Alongside Renewable Energy
Even as China expands its capacity, it is simultaneously investing heavily in renewable energy. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, the country added 240 GW of new solar power. Wind and solar are increasingly significant in China’s energy landscape, but they can be unpredictable due to weather conditions. Engineers designed many of the new plants to kick in as backup power whenever sunlight or wind is insufficient. Experts predict that plants will operate for approximately 4,100 hours at full capacity in 2030, down from 4,400 hours in 2025, reflecting this shift.
Older plants are being retrofitted to function in tandem with renewable energy sources. This adaptation allows China to keep electricity supplies stable while taking advantage of the rapid growth in solar and wind energy. The flexible operation ensures that renewable energy can be integrated without causing blackouts or disruptions.
While fossil-fuel power remains crucial, analysts note that future investments could increasingly focus on cleaner alternatives, such as batteries or other energy storage solutions. By combining traditional power with renewables, China is creating a hybrid system that maximizes energy availability while gradually reducing the environmental impact of its power generation.
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Coal Power Trends Around the World
The global picture of energy is mixed. In some countries, coal use is still growing, while in others, it is slowing down. China has been retiring older plants, averaging around 3 GW each year from 2021 to 2025. Electricity generation fell by 1.6% in China and 3% in India in 2025, marking the first decline since 1973. Global coal use reached 8.85 billion tonnes in 2025, driven by US demand and slower wind adoption in Europe.
The International Energy Agency reports that coal power use appears to be stabilizing worldwide. While some countries continue to rely heavily on coal, renewable electricity generated more power than fossil fuels during the first half of 2025. This shows a complex global energy scenario: coal is expanding in emerging economies like China and India, while mature and developed regions are gradually reducing dependence on it.
China’s strategy highlights a careful balance between meeting immediate energy needs and moving toward cleaner energy sources. The country is constructing new plants to secure electricity availability while simultaneously investing in massive solar and wind projects. Retrofitting older plants to work alongside renewables ensures that the energy system remains resilient.
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Coal power remains a key component of China’s electricity supply even as renewable energy grows rapidly. The nation’s approach demonstrates how it is managing a transition toward cleaner energy without compromising on reliability. By integrating coal with renewable energy, China is taking a pragmatic route to maintain energy stability while slowly shifting toward a lower-carbon future.
China’s ambitious plan for both coal and renewable energy reflects its broader strategy to support economic growth, energy security, and technological development simultaneously. With flexible plants and record-breaking renewable installations, China is positioning itself as a leader in the global energy sector, balancing immediate electricity needs with long-term sustainability goals.
