China Says Solar Power Capacity Surpasses Coal for First Time
HKFP · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
China has achieved a historic energy milestone as its installed solar power capacity has overtaken coal-fired power generation for the first time. According to the National Energy Administration, solar capacity reached 1.286 billion kilowatts by the end of July 2026, marginally exceeding coal's 1.285 billion kilowatts. The development marks a significant turning point for the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, which has pledged to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Key Points
- China's installed solar capacity stood at 1.286 billion kilowatts as of end-July 2026, surpassing coal-fired power at 1.285 billion kilowatts for the first time
- Solar generation rose 15.5 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of 2026, reaching 802.4 billion kilowatt-hours, accounting for approximately one-eighth of total power generation
- Last year, China installed a record 315 gigawatts of solar power and 119 gigawatts of wind power capacity, demonstrating explosive renewable energy growth
- Despite rising energy demand, coal-fired power generation fell by nearly two percent in 2025, marking the first decline in six years
- The National Energy Administration stated that solar power capacity and generation have maintained steady rapid growth, playing an increasingly prominent role in guaranteeing electricity supply
Why It Matters
This milestone represents a symbolic tipping point in China's decades-long reliance on coal, the primary driver of its planet-warming emissions . As the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, China's accelerating shift toward renewables could reshape global energy markets and provide momentum for international climate efforts .
This milestone represents a symbolic tipping point in China's decades-long reliance on coal, the primary driver of its planet-warming emissions . As the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, China's accelerating shift toward renewables could reshape global energy markets and provide momentum for international climate efforts .