China's coal expansion: A risk for climate goals and energy transition!

China's coal expansion: A risk for climate goals and energy transition!

China emerged with a record number of new coal-fired power plants coming online in the first half of 2025. The total addition of 21 gigawatts represents the highest value for the first six months since 2016. An additional capacity of over 80 gigawatts of coal-fired power plants is forecast for the full year 2025, which makes it clear that coal use in China shows no signs of slowing down despite the advance of renewable energies. The Chinese government also plans to add more than 500 gigawatts of wind and solar energy in the same year to meet changing energy needs when there is not enough electricity from renewable sources, as vienna.at reports.

At the same time, however, the promotion of coal-fired power plants is controversial. Critics argue that the ongoing coal boom in China threatens progress in climate protection. China is the world's largest producer of climate-damaging greenhouse gases and has at the same time committed to reducing its CO2 emissions. According to Spiegel, the massive expansion of coal-fired power plants could result in an increase in emissions and increase dependence on coal.

Conflicting goals in the energy sector

The energy sector in China, as the largest source of CO2 emissions, was able to reduce its emissions by three percent in the first half of 2025. Total carbon dioxide emissions fell by one percent compared to the same period last year. China aims to peak its CO2 emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. Nevertheless, the approval of new coal-fired power plants with a total output of 25 gigawatts in the first six months of the year has raised questions about the climate targets, reports Tagesschau.

Coal-fired power plants with more than 240 gigawatts are currently under construction or have already been approved in China. These are intended not only to expand capacities, but also to guarantee the security and stability of the power supply. These projects are being built in regions that already have sufficient coal-fired power generation, which critics criticize because the central government's requirements are not being implemented in many areas.

Analysts suspect that the project promoters want to use the window until 2030 to confirm the peak of CO2 emissions. The lack of clarity about the energy and climate policy requirements in the next five-year plan, which begins in 2026, remains. However, China's government emphasizes that the increased commitment to renewable energy should be in line with economic growth and decarbonization, although the expansion of coal power is seen as a waste of investment.