China’s Renewable Surge Meets Coal Bottlenecks

China is adding wind and solar capacity at record levels, but coal generation and new coal capacity are also rising as grid constraints, weak flexibility incentives, and long-term coal arrangements limit renewable use.

Curtailment increased substantially in the first half of 2026, while emissions remained pressured by power-sector growth and uneven weather conditions. The next phase of China’s climate transition depends less on adding renewable capacity alone and more on improving storage, power-market coordination, grid flexibility, and emissions cuts in heavy industry.