China Sets 50 Percent Non-Hydrocarbon Electricity Target for 2030 While Adding Most New Global Coal Capacity

China's latest five-year plan sets a target to generate 50 percent of electricity from non-hydrocarbon sources by 2030. The plan, released this month, continues an all-of-the-above energy strategy that expands both coal-fired power and renewable capacity, OilPrice.com reported. China accounted for 78 percent of all new global coal power generation capacity added in 2025.

It also accounts for 86 percent of coal generation capacity currently under construction worldwide and scheduled to enter operation in 2026. Between 2019 and 2025, global spending on wind, solar and other alternative energy totaled $1.1 trillion. China spent more than half of that amount.

The 2030 target marks an increase from an earlier goal of 42. China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.