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China coal share falls below 50% of electricity for first time

In the first half of 2026, renewable power rose about 9% year over year as wind and solar together provided nearly 25% of total generation.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Energy

China’s coal-fired power has fallen below half of the country’s electricity generation for the first time on record, according to official data cited by OilPrice.

Coal averaged 49.7% of China’s total electricity output in the first half of 2026, while renewable electricity generation rose by about 9% year over year, the outlet said, citing figures from China’s National Energy Administration.

Renewables accounted for 41.2% of total generation in the first half, with wind and solar combined generating almost 25% of China’s total power output, OilPrice reported.

Despite the milestone, the outlet said China continues to rely on coal to support industrial power demand and maintain grid reliability, and that Chinese authorities are not restricting coal growth in the new five-year energy plan.

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