China's Solar Power Surpasses Wind as New Coal Capacity Hits Record Highs in 2025

In a landmark development for China’s energy landscape, 2025 marked the first time solar power generation eclipsed wind energy. This historic transition stems from the aggressive expansion of photovoltaic (PV) systems, fueled by a staggering 80% reduction in global panel costs over the last ten years. According to the National Energy Administration (NEA), the combined installed capacity of solar and wind reached approximately 1,840 GW by the end of 2025, accounting for over 47% of the nation's total power capacity and overtaking thermal power for the first time in history.

Detailed data from the first eleven months of 2025 highlights this rapid momentum, with solar output surging by 49.5% and wind generation growing by 37.4% year-on-year. This massive expansion reached a peak in July 2025, when renewable sources successfully met the entirety of the country's increased electricity demand, preventing any rise in coal combustion for power. While total national energy consumption grew by 3.5% throughout 2025, the share of fossil fuels remained steady at roughly 58%, even as thermal generation from coal and gas saw a projected decline of 0.7%.

Despite the green energy boom, Beijing maintained a pragmatic, dual-track strategy in 2025 to ensure energy security. Addressing concerns over grid reliability following previous power shortages, the country commissioned nearly 70 GW of new clean coal-fired capacity—the highest annual addition since 2007. These new coal units are designed to provide essential balancing and stability as the grid integrates increasingly intermittent solar and wind power. By the end of 2025, solar capacity reached 1,200 GW (a 35% annual increase), while wind capacity stood at 640 GW (up 23%).

The sheer scale of China's solar dominance was evident in the first half of 2025, during which the nation installed more photovoltaic capacity than the rest of the world combined. However, this rapid growth has introduced significant structural hurdles, with analysts warning of rising curtailment risks where excess renewable energy goes to waste due to limited grid throughput and storage. Furthermore, the equipment market is grappling with an imbalance, as PV manufacturers face financial pressure from overcapacity and plummeting prices. Both the NEA and independent research bodies have emphasized that massive infrastructure investment is now critical for effective energy integration.

Statistical snapshots from October 2024 through September 2025 show that coal still accounted for about 55% of total electricity generation, with fossil fuels making up 58% of overall energy consumption. These figures, coupled with the 70 GW of new coal capacity, underscore a persistent reliance on traditional fuels to meet rising demand and maintain national security. Looking ahead to 2026, forecasts predict the addition of 120 GW of new wind capacity, signaling continued momentum. Ultimately, guided by the National Development and Reform Commission's November 2025 directives, China aims to establish a sophisticated new energy system by 2035 characterized by high renewable penetration and advanced regulatory frameworks.