🏭 China's coal power reaches historically low share of electricity production
Coal power's share of China's electricity production drops below 60 percent for the first time this century. China's reduced coal use has global significance as the country accounts for 40 percent of the world's power-related emissions.
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- Coal power's share of China's electricity production drops below 60 percent for the first time this century.
- Wind power accounts for 11.1 percent of electricity production in October 2024, a historically high level.
- China's reduced coal use has global significance as the country accounts for 40 percent of the world's power-related emissions.
New statistics show decreased coal power share
During the first ten months of 2024, coal power accounted for 58.7 percent of China's total electricity production of 8,234 terawatt hours (TWh). This is the lowest share this century, a decrease from 61.6 percent during the same period in 2023, reports Reuters.
Wind power production in China reached 799 TWh during the first ten months of the year, which is 13 percent more than the same period last year. In October 2024, wind power accounted for 11.1 percent of total electricity production. During November and December, the share is expected to increase to over 12 percent, thanks to seasonally higher wind speeds.
Industrial sector affects development
The decreased activity in the construction sector has led to lower energy consumption from energy-intensive industries such as cement, steel, and ceramic production. Instead, focus is directed toward production in export-oriented sectors like electric vehicles, batteries, and electronics. These industries use more electricity than traditional industrial production but don't require their own power generation.
Global impact
China's reduced use of coal power has significant global impact as the country accounts for approximately 40 percent of the world's power-related emissions from fossil fuels. The increased share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix demonstrates an ongoing transition in the world's second-largest economy.
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