Overview
- Coal-fired generation fell 1.6% in China (about 58 TWh) and 3.0% in India (about 57 TWh) in 2025, according to new CREA analysis published by Carbon Brief.
- China set records with more than 300 GW of new solar and roughly 100 GW of new wind in 2025, while India added 35 GW solar, 6 GW wind and 3.5 GW hydro in the first 11 months.
- In India, milder weather and slower underlying demand further curbed coal use, while in China rapid non-fossil generation growth outpaced roughly 5% demand growth.
- Both countries kept expanding coal plant fleets; completing permitted and under-construction projects would lift capacity by 28% in China and 23% in India, risking lower run-hours and financial strain.
- Because their power sectors drove about 93% of the global CO2 increase from 2015 to 2024, the declines raise the prospect of a near-term emissions peak if clean power keeps outpacing demand and grids grow more flexible.