A new report spotlights a groundbreaking development: coal-powered electricity generation is declining sharply in India and China, overtaken by a booming green energy revolution. This dual-nation trend marks a critical inflection point in global decarbonization efforts.
Detailed analysis reveals coal’s retreat across key metrics. In India, daily coal consumption at power plants dropped amid monsoon hydro boosts and solar gluts. Utilization rates hovered below 60%, a stark contrast to pre-pandemic peaks. China mirrored this with coal curtailments in coal-rich provinces, prioritizing imported LNG and domestic renewables.
Green energy’s ascent is nothing short of spectacular. India’s National Solar Mission delivered 10 GW additions, transforming deserts into powerhouses. Pumped storage projects complemented wind growth in Tamil Nadu. China leads globally, with floating solar on reservoirs and high-altitude wind harnessing untapped potential.
Behind the numbers lie strategic imperatives. Both governments navigate energy trilemmas—security, affordability, equity—tilting toward sustainability. International pacts like Paris Agreement commitments, coupled with domestic green deals, accelerate the switch. Corporate giants from Tata to Sinopec pivot investments accordingly.
Environmental dividends are immediate: particulate levels in Delhi and Beijing show tentative improvements. Economically, renewables create 10 jobs per MW versus coal’s 2, spurring rural development. Challenges like land acquisition and transmission losses demand urgent fixes.
Projections in the report are bold: coal could cede 30% market share by 2027. Hybrid models blending solar-coal hybrids bridge transitions. As tech like perovskites promises even cheaper panels, the trajectory points upward.
This India-China narrative redefines energy geopolitics. From historical foes to climate collaborators, their actions influence global prices and tech flows. The era of coal’s unchallenged reign ends here, heralding a cleaner, more innovative power paradigm.