China’s Coal Power Share Drops Below 50% for First Time
China’s electricity generation mix shifted in the first half of the year, with coal’s contribution falling to 49.7%—the first time it fell below half. Renewable sources rose to 41.2%, overtaking the 40% threshold for the first time; wind and solar together supplied 24.6% of that renewable share, while natural gas and nuclear made up the balance. Xing Yiteng, deputy director‑general of the National Energy Administration’s planning office, reported the figures at a press conference.
The government’s official plan targets a peak in coal consumption by 2030 and aims for wind and solar to supply 30% of the power mix by that year. Greenpeace East Asia’s Gao Yuhe argues the 30% goal could be met as early as 2028, driven by expanding rooftop solar‑plus‑battery installations and more flexible electricity markets. Analysts caution that surging electricity demand from artificial‑intelligence data centres, electric‑vehicle adoption and export growth could push total coal use higher this year despite the lower share.
The development marks a significant step in China’s long‑term transition toward cleaner energy, reflecting both policy ambition and market dynamics.
Entities: China · Gao Yuhe · National Energy Administration · Xing Yiteng · coal power · solar power · wind power
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Higher demand from AI data centres, electric vehicles and exports may cause total coal consumption to rise this year despite the lower share. (Analysts)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] China aims for wind and solar to make up 30% of its power mix by 2030. (Chinese government targets)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Renewable energy supplied 41.2% of China's electricity generation in the same period, exceeding 40% for the first time. (Xing Yiteng)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Greenpeace East Asia projects China could reach the 30% wind‑solar target as early as 2028. (Gao Yuhe, Greenpeace East Asia)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Wind and solar accounted for 24.6% of the renewable electricity generation in China. (Xing Yiteng)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Coal accounted for 49.7% of China's electricity generation in the first half of the year. (Xing Yiteng, deputy director‑general of the National Energy Administration)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] China’s official plan sets a deadline for coal consumption to peak no later than 2030. (Chinese government policy)