Solar energy has reached a historic milestone in China by surpassing, for the first time in history, the installed capacity of coal-fired power plants in the country. The data was released this Tuesday (1st) by the NEA (National Energy Administration).
"For the first time, installed photovoltaic power capacity has surpassed that of coal-fired power, becoming the most widespread energy source category in China," the energy authority highlighted.
At the end of July, China's installed solar capacity reached 1,286 TW, slightly above the 1,285 TW recorded by coal-fired power plants. With this result, photovoltaic energy became the leading energy generation technology in the country when considering installed capacity.
According to the NEA, both capacity expansion and generation from solar sources are maintaining a rapid growth rate. The agency also highlighted the advancement of renewable sources in meeting demand and ensuring security of electricity supply.
China expands the share of renewable energy sources.
The overtaking occurs amidst the rapid expansion of China's renewable energy park, driven primarily by the installation of new solar projects at different scales.
In 2025, China became the first country in the world to surpass 1 TW of installed photovoltaic capacity. This milestone was achieved in the first half of that year, more than a year ahead of the IEA's (International Energy Agency) forecast, which projected the result for 2026.
Solar energy advances are reducing the role of fossil fuels.
The growth of solar energy is part of China's strategy to expand the share of renewable sources and gradually reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. For decades, coal occupied a central position in the country's economic development and energy supply.
At the same time, its widespread use has contributed to making China the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide. Because of this, the country has set goals to reach peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
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