Meanwhile, China’s wind and solar capacity has grown to 1,482 GW, surpassing thermal power’s 1,450 GW for the first time. In a notable shift, wind and solar generation exceeded the national electricity demand increase in the first quarter of 2025, signaling a strong expansion of renewable energy sources.
Gao Yuhe, Greenpeace East Asia’s Beijing-based climate and energy project manager, stated: “Since 2024, we’ve seen a turning point where the wind and solar growth is outpacing coal. If this trend continues, renewables could meet all of China’s new electricity demand in 2025.” She highlighted the potential for renewables to drive future energy needs, emphasizing their role in a sustainable energy framework.
However, Gao cautioned: “There is already enough existing capacity to meet today’s peak demand. Approving a new wave of large-scale coal projects risks creating overcapacity, stranded assets, and higher transition costs. That will ultimately undermine progress toward a cleaner, more flexible power system.” The report notes that large-scale coal units, those 600 megawatts and above, accounted for 88.9% of new approvals in Q1 2025, up from 69.6% in 2024, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
From 2021 to Q1 2025, the leading provinces for new coal capacity approvals were Guangdong with 28.02 GW, Jiangsu with 23.84 GW, Inner Mongolia with 20.75 GW, Anhui with 19.18 GW, and Shaanxi with 17.39 GW. This distribution reflects active coal project development across both eastern and western regions, with a recent shift toward provinces rich in renewable resources.
The ongoing approvals highlight the challenge of balancing energy demands with sustainable development. China’s robust growth in wind and solar capacity demonstrates a commitment to renewable energy, but the continued addition of coal projects could complicate efforts to achieve a cleaner and more efficient power system.
