Expanding coal usage persists in China's power network
China's Energy Mix: A Balancing Act
China, the world's second-largest economy, is grappling with the challenge of balancing its energy needs and climate goals. According to a recent analysis by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea), China connected power plants with a total capacity of 21 gigawatts of coal power to its grid in the first half of 2025, marking the most significant addition in nine years.
Despite this, Crea criticizes that China rarely uses its coal power plants in a flexible way, even when there isn't enough power from renewable sources. Analyst Qi Qin of Crea argues that China's continued expansion of coal is wasting investments.
However, the development of coal power in China shows no signs of slowing down and will remain a part of the energy system for years to come. Experts predict that over 80 gigawatts of coal power will be added to China's grid in 2025, in contrast to Crea's expectation of more than 500 gigawatts of wind and solar energy.
The international community, including China, agreed on the phase-out of coal in favor of the climate at the climate conference in Glasgow. China's government has shown commitment to this agreement, as evidenced by the approval of new coal projects with a total capacity of 25 gigawatts in the first half of the year.
Yet, China's energy sector has made strides in reducing emissions. The sector reduced its emissions by three percent in the first half of 2025, and the expansion of green energy helped reduce China's emissions of carbon dioxide by one percent compared to the same period last year.
China's role in the global fight against climate change is crucial. The country is expected to add more than 500 gigawatts of wind and solar energy to its grid in 2025, a significant step towards a greener future.
It is still uncertain what energy and climate goals Beijing will set in its next five-year plan for 2026 to 2030. Analysts suspect that project holders are taking advantage of the window of opportunity until 2030, when China aims to reach the peak of its CO2 emissions.
Meanwhile, other countries like Germany are making significant strides in renewable energy. Germany added around 20 gigawatts of solar, wind, and biomass energy to its total installed capacity of 190 gigawatts in 2024.
As China navigates its energy transition, it will be interesting to see how it balances its commitment to the climate with the need for reliable energy sources. The journey towards a sustainable energy future is a complex one, but China's actions in the coming years will undoubtedly shape the global response to climate change.
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