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China's Coal Power Dips First Time in Decade
19 Jan
Summary
- Thermal power generation fell 1% in 2025, first decrease in ten years.
- Renewable energy growth met rising electricity demand in 2025.
- China's total electricity consumption reached a record high in 2025.
In 2025, China witnessed a significant shift in its energy landscape as thermal power generation, largely from coal, decreased by 1% to 6.29 trillion kilowatt-hours. This marks the first time in ten years that coal-based electricity production has fallen, signaling a positive step towards China's commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030.
The decline in thermal power is largely due to the substantial expansion of renewable energy sources and a moderate 5% growth in overall electricity demand, which stood at a record-breaking 10 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2025. This surge in consumption was driven by the burgeoning internet services sector and electric vehicle manufacturing.
Experts predict that this trend towards a structural change in power generation is unlikely to reverse, with renewables continuing their rapid growth and steady power demand projected for 2026. Hydropower and nuclear power also saw increases in output during 2025, further diversifying China's energy mix.
