economy

January 13, 2026

Coal power generation falls in China and India for first time since 1970s

‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says

Coal power generation falls in China and India for first time since 1970s

TL;DR

  • Coal power generation fell in China and India last year, a first since the 1970s.
  • This decline was driven by a record expansion of clean energy projects in both countries.
  • China added over 300GW of solar and 100GW of wind power, setting new global records.
  • India added 35GW of solar, 6GW of wind, and 3.5GW of hydropower.
  • The growth in clean energy played a significant role in reducing India's coal-fired power generation for the first time.
  • Mild weather and slower demand growth also contributed to India's fossil fuel reduction.
  • A previous expected peak in global coal power was disrupted by the war in Ukraine, which led to higher gas prices and increased coal burning in developing countries.

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