China’s coal use has shifted from decades of rapid expansion to a historic decline. Coal’s share of electricity generation dropped below 50% for the first time in 2026 (reaching 49.7% in the first six months), down from over 75% in the early 2010s and a peak share of around 81% in 2007, driven by massive wind and solar growth.
It has still grown in absolute terms although even that seems to have flattened off in the last couple of years.
It has still grown in absolute terms although even that seems to have flattened off in the last couple of years.