China Plans to Expand Both Coal and Renewable Energy Through 2030

China will continue investing heavily in both coal and renewable energy—including wind and solar power—over the next five years, according to the country's latest five-year plan, OilPrice.com reported.

China is continuing to expand both coal-fired power plants and renewable energy projects to strengthen long-term energy security.

Although China remains the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, it is also the world's largest investor in renewable energy.

Rather than viewing coal and renewable energy as competing strategies, Beijing continues to pursue an "all-of-the-above" energy policy designed to strengthen energy security while expanding cleaner sources of power.

Since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, many countries have sought to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

China, however, has expanded renewable energy generation while continuing to build new coal-fired power plants.

According to the report, China accounted for 78 percent of new global coal-fired power generation capacity added in 2025 and represents 86 percent of coal-fired generating capacity currently under construction worldwide that is scheduled to enter operation this year.

Supporters of the strategy argue that coal remains essential for providing reliable baseload electricity when renewable generation is insufficient.