For the first time ever, wind and solar energy have as of June this year collectively eclipsed coal in capacity, according to the latest data from the country’s National Energy Administration (NEA).
Rystad Energy’s analysis forecasts that by 2026, solar power alone will surpass coal as China's primary energy source, with a cumulative capacity exceeding 1.38 terawatts (TW)—150 gigawatts (GW) more than coal.
Since 2020, annual installations of wind and solar energy have consistently exceeded 100 GW, three to four times the capacity additions for coal.
Despite the expansion of renewable energy under supportive policies, the government has implemented stricter restrictions on new coal projects to meet carbon reduction goals.
Solar energy will be central to this transformation, with advancements in supply chains, infrastructure and capacity additions set to surpass coal in future energy production.
Wind power was introduced in China in the early 2000s as the country's first new energy source, and scaling in wind power capacity accelerated during the following decade.
Rystad Energy is a leading global independent research and energy intelligence company dedicated to helping clients navigate the future of energy. »
