China’s Clean Energy Capacity Surpasses Fossil Fuels; Coal Expansion Continues

China now has more operating power capacity from clean energy than fossil fuels, marking a milestone as solar and wind installations surge. Non-fossil sources account for 52% of installed capacity as of February 2026, while fossil fuels hold 48%, per Global Energy Monitor. Despite leading global clean energy investment—$800B of $2.3T in 2025, per BNEF—China remains reliant on coal. In 2025, it commissioned a record 78 GW of coal capacity, the highest in a decade, and has 71% of global coal power capacity under development. With 1,243 GW of coal capacity operating and 501 GW in the pipeline, energy security concerns and grid stability drive continued coal expansion.