China's Energy Balancing Act: Coal and Renewables in 2025

Despite a surge in solar and wind power, China's opening of new coal plants in 2025 raises concerns. Over 50 large coal units were commissioned, though cleaner energy sources mildly reduced coal's share. Challenges include balancing energy needs and transitioning to renewable sources amidst political and financial pressures.

China's dual approach to energy seemed contradictory in 2025, as it bolstered solar and wind power while simultaneously commissioning over 50 new coal power units. The increase in coal plants, over double those introduced annually in the previous decade, reflects complex challenges in energy transition strategies.

The huge growth in cleaner energy did lead to a slight reduction in coal's contribution to power generation, with solar and wind capacity additions being significant. However, power demands driven by urban and industrial expansion mean that coal remains intertwined with China's energy strategy, exacerbated by historical energy security issues.

Despite increasing investments in wind and solar, China's ongoing coal dependency may hinder the transition to renewable energy. Future strategies could be derailed by new coal projects unless policies strictly restrict coal's role to a secondary, backup capacity. Both political and financial incentives currently maintain coal's central position.