Coal Power Declines Together in China and India After Five Decades as Clean Energy Surges

New Delhi, Jan 2026 : Coal-based power generation fell simultaneously in both China and India in 2025 for the first time in more than 50 years, marking a potentially historic shift in the global energy landscape. According to a new analysis by Carbon Brief, the decline followed record additions of clean energy capacity in the world’s two most populous countries, allowing them to meet rising electricity demand without increasing reliance on coal.

The report shows that coal-fired electricity generation in India declined by 3.0 per cent in 2025, translating into a reduction of about 57 terawatt hours (TWh). China, the world’s largest coal consumer, recorded a 1.6 per cent year-on-year drop, equivalent to around 58 TWh. The last time both nations saw coal power fall in the same year was in 1973, during the global oil crisis—underscoring the significance of the current development.

Analysts described the twin decline as a possible turning point, especially given the scale of emissions from the two countries. Between 2015 and 2024, China and India together accounted for roughly 93 per cent of global growth in carbon dioxide emissions. Any sustained reduction in coal use by these economies could therefore have a major impact on global climate goals.

In China, the fall in coal power came despite electricity demand growing by approximately five per cent during the year. The decline was driven by an unprecedented expansion of clean energy. In 2025 alone, China is estimated to have added more than 300 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity and over 100 GW of wind power—both global records. Solar and wind generation together rose by about 450 TWh in the first 11 months of the year, while nuclear power added another 35 TWh. These additions more than covered the increase in electricity demand, reducing the need for coal-fired generation.

India’s coal power decline reflected a different mix of factors. While clean-energy growth played a major role, slower electricity demand growth—partly due to milder weather conditions—and a longer-term moderation in consumption also contributed. Carbon Brief estimates that clean energy growth accounted for 44 per cent of the reduction in coal and gas use, while milder weather explained 36 per cent and weaker demand growth the remaining 20 per cent.

During the first 11 months of 2025, India added around 35 GW of solar capacity, 6 GW of wind power and 3.5 GW of hydropower. Renewable capacity additions rose by 44 per cent compared to the previous year. Power generation from non-fossil sources increased by about 71 TWh, while total electricity generation rose by only 21 TWh. This imbalance resulted in a clear decline in coal- and gas-based generation.

Despite the encouraging trend, the report cautioned that India’s clean-energy expansion is still not fast enough to guarantee a sustained decline in coal use. The current pace of renewable additions remains below the average annual growth in electricity demand seen between 2019 and 2024. Analysts stressed that accelerating renewable deployment will be essential if India is to meet its long-term climate and energy security goals.

Achieving the government’s target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030—announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021—was identified as a critical milestone. Meeting this target could help ensure that future demand growth is met primarily through clean energy rather than fossil fuels.

The report also highlighted challenges ahead for both countries. China and India continue to approve and construct new coal-fired power plants to meet peak electricity demand and ensure grid stability. If all under-construction and approved coal projects are completed, coal capacity could rise by about 28 per cent in China and 23 per cent in India. This would likely lead to lower plant utilisation rates and increased financial stress for coal power producers.

Even so, analysts noted that the simultaneous decline in coal power generation, combined with record clean-energy growth, represents a landmark moment. Given the dominant role of China and India in global power-sector emissions, these trends could help bring worldwide carbon emissions closer to a peak—provided the momentum toward clean energy is sustained in the years ahead.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)