China's installed solar power capacity to exceed coal for the first time

China's installed solar power capacity is projected to surpass coal for the first time this year, solidifying its position as the world's premier powerhouse in the renewable energy revolution.

According to the "2025-2026 National Power Supply and Demand Analysis and Forecast Report" released by the China Electricity Council on Monday, the combined capacity of wind and solar power is expected to account for half of the country's total power generation capacity by the end of 2026.

Driven by Beijing's "dual carbon" objectives, the council anticipates that China will add more than 400 million kilowatts (400 GW) of new generation capacity in 2026 alone.

Of this total, new energy sources—primarily wind and solar—are expected to contribute over 300 million kilowatts, it said.

By the end of 2026, China's total installed power capacity is forecast to reach about 4.3 billion kilowatts. Non-fossil energy sources are expected to make up about 2.7 billion kilowatts of that total, representing roughly 63 percent of the nation's entire power fleet.

In contrast, the share of coal-fired power is expected to continue its downward trajectory, falling to around 31 percent of the total capacity, the council said.