Historical Moment! Coal-fired Power Share Drops Below 50% for the First Time, New Energy Takes Center Stage

Published: Aug 6, 2026 14:55

Save

In H1 2026, China’s coal-fired power generation amounted to 2.5 trillion kWh, with its share of total power generation dropping to 49.7%. Meanwhile, nationwide renewable energy power generation approached 2 trillion kWh, accounting for 41.2% of total power generation, exceeding 40% for the first time. Among this, the total generation from wind and solar power exceeded 1.2 trillion kWh, accounting for roughly one-quarter of total electricity consumption.

The installed capacity structure had already undergone a shift: as of end-June 2026, the combined installed capacity of wind and solar power reached 1.95 billion kW, up 16.8% year-on-year. Nationwide renewable energy installed capacity reached 2.455 billion kW, accounting for about 60.7% of China’s total installed capacity.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

7 hours ago

South Korean Firms Compete for European HVDC Projects at CIGRE 2026, Securing Major Contracts

South Korean cable and power equipment makers are competing for European HVDC projects at CIGRE 2026 in Paris. LS Cable secured approximately 234 billion won in contracts for KEPCO HVDC projects and is supplying 525kV submarine and underground cables to TenneT's North Sea offshore wind project. Taihan Cable unveiled South Korea's first 500kV current-source HVDC cable system and a 525kV voltage-source HVDC land cable system. Hyosung Heavy Industries launched a 420kV SF6-free GIS, with H1 new orders reaching 7.5 trillion won and annual target raised to 12 trillion won. Iljin won an 84.5 billion won ultra-high-voltage contract in the UK in July.

7 hours ago

15 hours ago

Terra Charge to Launch Tesla-Compatible EV Stations in Japan from 2028

Japan's Terra Charge will launch Tesla-compatible EV charging stations, with installation of Tesla-standard equipment set to begin in fiscal year 2028.

15 hours ago

Aug 25, 2026 14:41

Failure in power grid of Central Asian country causes outages in Uzbekistan - country's Energy Ministry

TASHKENT. Aug 14 - A power failure in a Central Asian country has affected the entire region's power grid and caused outages in Uzbekistan, the country's Energy Ministry said in a statement. "A power failure in a neighboring country has affected the Central Asian power grid. Consequently, power outages have occurred in Surkhandarya and several other regions of Uzbekistan," the ministry said. As noted, specialists are currently restoring power supply in stages. The Energy Ministry promises to provide additional information later, and the ministry has not specified in which country's power grid the failure has occurred. According to media reports, the failure has occurred in Tajikistan's power grid.

Aug 25, 2026 14:41