China's electricity generation is dominated by coal, which accounted for approximately 55%–60% of total generation in 2024–2025, though its share is gradually declining. Non-fossil fuel sources are growing rapidly, with renewables (hydro, solar, wind) and nuclear making up over 40% of the mix, as China aims for 39% non-fossil capacity by 2025.
Electricity Generation Distribution (Approx. 2024-2025 Data):
- Coal (~55% - 60%): Remains the primary source for baseload power, although its share is dropping from over 70% in 2000.
- Hydropower (~13% - 14%): Largest source of renewable energy, often affected by seasonal variations.
- Wind & Solar (~18% - 22% combined): Fastest-growing sources. Solar capacity saw massive expansion, surpassing 887 GW in 2024, while wind capacity grew significantly.
- Nuclear (~5%): Plays a smaller, yet growing role, with China aggressively expanding its fleet.
- Natural Gas & Others (~3%): Minor, but used for grid stability.
