Featured by Power Magazine: China Coal-Fired Generation Additions Tied to Economics, Energy Security

April 3, 2025

China’s coal industry is experiencing a resurgence, even as the country makes historic investments in renewable energy. In 2024, China built more new coal capacity than the rest of the world combined, reflecting the deep-rooted economic and political forces that continue to shape its energy sector. Despite pledging to reduce coal reliance over time, economic and industrial pressures continue to drive new coal plant approvals. With energy demand soaring, China faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with its long-term decarbonization commitments.

In Power Magazine's recent article, Brad Kuntz, Senior Managing Director, discussed how China's ongoing need for energy and reliance on coal has pioneered a shift towards renewables.

"China’s energy output has doubled since 2011, driven primarily by ongoing industrialization. This growth contrasts with major economies like Japan, Germany, and the U.S., where energy output has remained flat or declined over the same period."

"To meet its baseline energy needs, China has continued expanding coal-powered plants, making it difficult to envision such a significant increase in output without coal as a key source."

"However, China is gradually shifting away from coal, reducing its share from 79% to 63% of total output since 2011, while simultaneously increasing its reliance on renewables, which have grown from 17% to 29% over the same period.”

-Brad Kuntz, Partner, Industrials

Read the full article here Read the full article here

"China’s energy output has doubled since 2011, driven primarily by ongoing industrialization. This growth contrasts with major economies like Japan, Germany, and the U.S., where energy output has remained flat or declined over the same period."

"To meet its baseline energy needs, China has continued expanding coal-powered plants, making it difficult to envision such a significant increase in output without coal as a key source."

"However, China is gradually shifting away from coal, reducing its share from 79% to 63% of total output since 2011, while simultaneously increasing its reliance on renewables, which have grown from 17% to 29% over the same period.”

-Brad Kuntz, Senior Managing Director, Industrials

Read the full article here

Featured by Power Magazine: China Coal-Fired Generation Additions Tied to Economics, Energy Security