China Keeps Coal as Strategic Backstop Despite Renewable Targets

The country plans to increase the share of renewable electricity to 30% by 2030, rising from the current 22%. Despite labeling wind and solar as the future mainstay of the power mix, officials are doubling down on coal to mitigate the inherent intermittency of renewables. This strategy follows recent challenges where hydropower and wind generation failed to meet surging demand, prompting regulators to view coal plants as essential flexible backups.

Energy analysts remain critical of the policy trajectory. Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, argues that the permitted growth in fossil fuel generation directly contradicts China’s national climate commitments to peak CO2 emissions by the end of the decade. The data underscores this tension: China accounted for 78% of all new global coal capacity commissioned last year. Furthermore, the nation currently holds 86% of all coal power capacity under construction worldwide, signaling that the shift toward green energy will not come at the expense of traditional thermal power.