Coal Power: China and India Dominate New Proposals in 2025
Why in the news
A new assessment of global coal plans, reported on 1 September 2025, showed that China and India together drive almost all fresh coal power proposals worldwide, even as some European nations leave coal behind.
Key facts
- Share of new proposals: nearly 88% of new coal capacity proposed worldwide in the first half of 2025 came from China and India.
- China added 21 GW in six months, the largest increase since 2016, while its carbon emissions fell about 1% in early 2025.
- India commissioned 5.1 GW of new coal plants, up from 4.2 GW earlier, and has 92 GW of proposals pending.
- Coal supplies around 70% of India’s electricity, and about 90 GW of coal capacity is planned over the next seven years.
- Coal plant retirements in India were only 0.8 GW in 2025.
| Country | Detail |
|---|---|
| China | 21 GW added in six months |
| India | 5.1 GW commissioned; 92 GW pending |
| Ireland | Closed its last coal plant in June 2025 |
About India’s energy mix
India’s renewable capacity went beyond 220 GW by March 2025, while coal still supplies the bulk of its power. Many EU countries plan a full coal exit between 2029 and 2033.
Exam angle
- Remember the pair of leaders: China and India with about 88% of new proposals.
- Numbers to note: 21 GW (China), 5.1 GW and 92 GW (India), 220 GW renewables.
- Ireland ended coal power in June 2025, a likely static-GK link in environment questions.