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China solar capacity is set to match coal this quarter
China reported end-June solar capacity at 1,274 GW, nearly equal to coal at 1,275 GW, as renewables drove most of the first-half power growth.
China is on track to reach a milestone in its power mix, with solar installed capacity expected to match coal-fired generation capacity as early as this quarter, according to Chinese authorities cited by OilPrice.
As of the end of June, solar power capacity stood at 1,274 gigawatts, just below total coal-fired installed capacity of 1,275 gigawatts, the report from the China Electricity Council said. The council said the two sources were effectively tied as the country’s largest primary power source by that point.
OilPrice also highlighted that renewable energy has been the leading driver of new power capacity additions. In the first half of 2026, China’s total non-fossil energy generation grew 8.5% year over year, with incremental non-fossil output accounting for 70.7% of total incremental power generation nationally, according to the CEC official Hou Wenjie.
Official data referenced in the coverage showed coal’s share of China’s electricity output fell below 50% for the first time on record in the first half of 2026. Coal averaged 49.7% of total electricity output during the period, while generation from renewables rose by about 9% as the transition accelerated.