China produced 389.31 million tons of coal in April, which is 3.8% more than the same month last year. Although this was less than March’s record high, it shows coal remains an important part of China’s energy supply.
Coal imports dropped by 16% in April. Lower prices encouraged more use of coal from domestic sources.
From January to April, China’s total coal production reached 1.58 billion tons. This is a 6.6% increase compared to the same period last year, according to customs data cited by Reuters.
During the same months, China’s thermal power generation decreased by 4.1% to 1.98 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh). In April alone, thermal power generation fell 2.3% year-on-year. Overall electricity generation also declined.
The drop in power use was linked to a trade conflict that began earlier this year between the U.S. and China. The dispute slowed industrial activity in China, the world’s largest exporter. However, after a 90-day trade truce was reached, industrial activity and coal use have started to rise again.
In the first quarter of 2025, wind and solar power made up 39% of China’s total electricity supply, a record high. This was an 18% increase from the same quarter in 2024. But this high share was partly due to weaker industrial demand, which reduced overall power use. With industrial activity picking up in the current quarter, wind and solar’s share is expected to fall, while coal-fired power plants will provide more of the baseload electricity.
Last year, coal power generation in China hit a record 6.34 trillion kWh. Although the growth in coal use is slowing, and wind and solar have cut coal’s share of the energy mix from 80% to just over 50%, coal remains the most reliable energy source in the country.
Related Topics:
- China’s Coal Imports Fall 6% in March Due to Low Demand, High Stocks
- UK Government Funds Coal Shipment to Support British Steel’s Furnaces
- Indonesia’s Coal Expansion Plan Faces Climate and Cost Challenges