By Abdullahi Lukman
China generated less than half of its electricity from coal during the first six months of the year, marking the first time coal’s contribution has fallen below the 50% threshold as the country accelerates its transition to cleaner energy sources.
Data released by the National Energy Administration showed coal-fired power plants accounted for 49.7% of total electricity generation between January and June. Renewable energy supplied more than 40% of the country’s electricity, with wind and solar contributing nearly one-quarter of total output.
Officials described the development as a significant milestone in China’s long-term push to replace fossil fuels with cleaner energy. Xing Yiteng, Deputy Director-General of the National Energy Administration’s Department of Development and Planning, said the achievement reflects steady progress in the country’s green and low-carbon energy transition.
Despite the declining share of coal in the electricity mix, coal-fired generation continued to increase in absolute terms due to rising electricity demand.
Growth in high-tech manufacturing, electric vehicle charging and data centres has driven higher power consumption, although renewable energy capacity has expanded at a faster pace.
China remains the world’s largest consumer of coal and the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, while also leading globally in renewable energy production.
The country’s energy transition is therefore considered critical to global climate efforts.
However, the rapid growth of renewable energy has highlighted challenges within China’s electricity grid. Limited grid capacity has forced some wind and solar projects to reduce power generation because the network is unable to absorb all the electricity produced.
