Beijing: China generated less than half of its electricity from coal during the first six months of 2026, marking a milestone in the country’s transition towards cleaner energy as renewable power reached a record share of the national electricity mix.
Officials from China’s National Energy Administration said on July 30 that coal accounted for 49.7 percent of electricity generation between January and June 2026, the first time the fossil fuel’s share has fallen below 50 percent in the world’s largest coal-consuming nation.
Renewable energy accounted for 41.2 percent of electricity generation during the same period, surpassing the 40 percent mark for the first time. Wind and solar energy together contributed 24.6 percent, while natural gas and nuclear power made up the remaining share of electricity generation.
Despite coal’s declining share in the electricity mix, analysts said China’s overall coal consumption could still rise in 2026 as electricity demand continues to grow. Increasing adoption of electric vehicles, expanding artificial intelligence data centres and stronger industrial activity have all contributed to rising power consumption across the country.
China has pledged that national coal consumption will peak no later than 2030, while government targets call for wind and solar power to account for 30 percent of electricity generation by the end of the decade.
Environmental groups said that target could be achieved ahead of schedule. Greenpeace East Asia said continued investment in rooftop solar systems, battery storage technology and more flexible electricity markets could allow China to reach the 30 percent wind and solar target as early as 2028.
China continues to rely more heavily on coal than many major economies because of its abundant domestic coal reserves and relatively limited natural gas resources.
By comparison, coal accounted for 17 percent of utility-scale electricity generation in the United States in 2025, while natural gas generated 41 percent. However, China’s dependence on coal remains lower than India, where coal and lignite produced 69 percent of electricity generation in 2025.
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