Coal-Powered Thermal Generation Declines In China & India, But Surges In US - CleanTechnica

The article reports a significant decline in coal-powered electricity generation in both China and India in 2025, marking the first simultaneous reduction in over fifty years. Coal-generated electricity fell by 1.6% (58 TWh) in China and 3% (57 TWh) in India, largely due to increased renewable energy production, particularly solar power, which more than met rising electricity demand. This shift is notable because China and India’s power sectors accounted for 93% of the global rise in carbon dioxide emissions from 2015 to 2024. The decline in coal use in these countries could signal a historic turning point toward peaking coal-fired power and potentially curbing global emissions, provided both nations sustain renewable energy growth and address challenges such as grid flexibility and the continued addition of new coal capacity. However, challenges remain: China and India are still constructing new coal-fired plants that could increase coal capacity by 28% and 23%, respectively, potentially raising operational costs due to lower