On April 25, 2025, China announced that its wind and solar energy capacity surpassed that of coal-fired power plants for the first time, with new installations in Q1 2025 adding 74.33 million kilowatts, bringing the total renewable capacity to 1.482 billion kilowatts, compared to 1.451 billion kilowatts for thermal (mostly coal) energy.

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China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, produces about 27% of global CO2 emissions, largely due to its reliance on coal, which still accounts for nearly 60% of its energy consumption.

However, the country has invested heavily in renewables, installing almost two-thirds of global solar and wind capacity in 2024.

This dual approach – expanding renewables while maintaining coal for energy security – reflects China’s complex energy transition, driven by its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) aiming for a CO2 emissions peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.