China has logged an increase in coal power projects in the first half (H1) of 2025, suggesting a resurgence in coal dependency despite the nation’s clean energy advancements.

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Global Energy Monitor’s latest review indicates a boom in commissioned coal projects, with the highest number of new and revived proposals in a decade.

In H1 2025, China commissioned 21GW of coal power, marking the highest amount for this period since 2016. Projections for the full year suggest that the total could exceed 80GW.

Read more in Power Technology here.

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