China’s Solar and Wind Energy Surpass Coal Capacity
In a historic development, solar and wind energy capacity in China has surpassed that of coal for the first time, according to an analysis by Norwegian research consultancy Rystad Energy. The firm predicts that solar power alone will become China's primary source of electricity by 2026, with a total capacity exceeding 1.38 TW, which is 150 GW more than coal.
Image: Rystad Energy
During the first half of 2024, China added over 100 GW of new solar capacity, compared to just 8 GW of new coal capacity. Despite this progress, China remains the largest global consumer of coal, accounting for more than half of the world's consumption.
Rystad Energy notes that the Chinese government is enforcing stricter restrictions on new coal projects to meet carbon reduction targets. Efforts are now focused on phasing out smaller coal plants, upgrading existing ones to reduce emissions, and implementing more stringent standards for new coal projects.
Simeng Deng, a Senior Analyst at Rystad, emphasized the significance of this shift for both China and the global energy transition. “With strong renewable energy project pipelines in place, the country is on track to shed its reputation as the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter and power consumer,” Deng said. “Solar energy will be central to this transformation, with advancements in supply chains, infrastructure, and capacity additions set to surpass coal in future energy production. This shift could be a landmark achievement, potentially transforming China from a coal-dependent giant into a leader in clean energy.”
As China’s clean energy capacity grows, Rystad Energy highlights the need to address challenges such as low utilization and intermittency by upgrading grid infrastructure and incorporating battery storage to maintain grid reliability.
In a related development, India's reliance on coal has also decreased, with coal's share in the country's total power capacity falling below 50% earlier this year for the first time since the 1960s.
