"Coal power generation fell in China and India for the first time since the 1970s last year, in a historic moment that could bring a decline in global emissions, according to analysis. The simultaneous fall in coal-powered electricity in the world's biggest coal-consuming countries had not happened since 1973, according to analysts at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, and was driven by a record roll-out of clean energy projects."
"China added more than 300GW of solar power and 100GW of wind power last year together, more than five times the UK's total existing power generation capacity which are both clear new records for China and, therefore, for any country ever, the report said. India added 35GW of solar, 6GW of wind and 3.5GW of hydropower last year, according to the analysis."
"The faster clean-energy growth made up 44% of the reduction in India's coal and gas, compared with the previous five years, marking the first time that clean-energy growth has played a significant role in driving down India's coal-fired power generation. However, about 36% of India's fossil fuel reduction was driven by milder weather, while 20% was due to slower underlying demand growth, meaning a rise in severe summer temperatures could increase demand for air-conditioning and reverse the fall in energy demand."
Coal-fired electricity generation fell by 1.6% in China and 3% in India last year, the first simultaneous decline in both countries since 1973. Rapid clean-energy deployment outpaced rising electricity demand, with China adding more than 300 GW of solar and 100 GW of wind and India adding 35 GW solar, 6 GW wind and 3.5 GW hydropower. China and India drove over 90% of the global emissions increase between 2015 and 2024, so sustained coal declines could bring a peak in global coal consumption and emissions. India's fossil-fuel reduction reflected clean-energy growth (44%), milder weather (36%) and slower demand growth (20%).
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