Record Clean Energy Surge Drives Historic Drop in Coal Power Across China and India

Beijing, Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
For the first time since 1973, coal-fired electricity generation has simultaneously declined in China and India, marking a pivotal shift in the global energy landscape. Data for 2025 indicates a 1.6% drop in China and a 3% decrease in India, driven largely by record-breaking renewable energy installations rather than economic stagnation. China added a staggering 300 GW of solar capacity, while India boosted its green energy additions by 44%. While both nations continue to expand coal capacity for peak demand security, this data suggests that renewables are finally meeting new electricity demand. This historic decoupling signals that a structural peak in thermal coal usage is likely imminent, potentially accelerating global decarbonization timelines significantly.