this is despite its reliance on coal, Fitch Solutions reported.

The share of coal in China’s energy mix will likely decrease in the coming years as it is offset by renewables, Fitch Solutions reported.

This is despite the continued reliance of the government on coal to meet its power generation needs.

Currently, the market sources more than 60% of its electricity needs from coal-fired power generation.

On top of this, some 20 gigawatts of coal-fired power plants have been approved in the first quarter of 2023. This is higher than the 18GW recorded in 2021.

“We believe that this does not necessarily mean that the net coal-fired power capacity will grow by 20GW over the coming 10 years,” the report read in part.

“Instead, we believe that it will be used to replace old and inefficient power plants that are running at low capacities.”

Fitch added that growth in power consumption will likely be served by non-hydropower renewables.