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3h ago

China’s 2025 Energy Paradox: Record Wind and Solar Buildout as Coal Plants Surge

Analysts warn the coal pipeline risks locking in fossil capacity despite a brief emissions dip.

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Die Produktion von Strom aus Kohle hat in China im ersten Halbjahr stark zugenommen. Zwar erreicht die Energieproduktion aus erneuerbaren Quellen ebenfalls immer neue Rekorde, der Ausbau der Kohleverbrennung beunruhigt dennoch die Klimaschützer.
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Overview

  • In the first half of 2025, 21 GW of coal capacity was connected to China’s grid, the highest first‑half total since 2016, according to CREA and GEM.
  • CREA and GEM report 46 GW of new coal plant construction starts in H1 2025, with a further 75 GW of projects advanced and 25 GW formally approved.
  • The trackers estimate coal connections could top 80 GW for the full year 2025.
  • China added 212 GW of wind and solar in H1 2025, and the same analysts project more than 500 GW of wind and solar additions for the year.
  • Carbon Brief estimates national CO2 fell about 1% in H1 2025, including a 3% drop in energy‑sector emissions, as experts caution many coal approvals reflect local or industrial priorities rather than grid needs.