China's Coal Power Share Falls Below 50% for First Time
China's coal power generation accounted for less than 50% of the total electricity produced in the first half of 2026, a historic first driven by rapid growth in renewables.
Coal power's share in China's total electricity generation dropped below 50% for the first time in the first half of 2026, according to figures released by the National Energy Administration and reported by CCTV. This milestone reflects the country's accelerating shift towards a greener and lower-carbon energy system.
As of the end of June 2026, the combined installed capacity of wind and solar power reached 1.95 billion kilowatts, an increase of 16.8% year-on-year. During the first half of the year, wind and solar power generation exceeded 1.2 trillion kilowatt-hours, accounting for approximately a quarter of the country's total electricity consumption.
In parallel, coal power generation amounted to 2.5 trillion kilowatt-hours, representing 49.7% of the total generation. This marks a significant shift in China's energy mix, which has historically relied heavily on coal.
Overall, China's cumulative installed power generation capacity reached 4.04 billion kilowatts by the end of June 2026, up 10.8% from the previous year. Capacity for solar power grew by 15.8%, while wind power capacity increased by 18.5%. Hydropower, thermal power (including coal), and nuclear power also saw capacity increases.