Shanxi’s green leap: renewables surpass coal in China’s energy hub

A profound energy transformation is reshaping Shanxi, China’s traditional coal heartland, where renewable power capacity has officially surpassed coal-fired generation, marking a historic turning point for one of the nation’s most carbon-intensive economies.The central province’s installed capacity for new energy surged to 90.48 million kilowatts in 2025 – a year-on-year increase of 18.29 million kW – vaulting renewables past the halfway point to claim 55.1 per cent of Shanxi’s total power-generation capacity, Xinhua reported on Monday.The milestone comes as Beijing strives to achieve “dual carbon” goals – leadership’s intention to peak China’s carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.With its vast offering of proven coal reserves – Shanxi’s 48.3 billion tonnes accounted for nearly a quarter of China’s total in 2024, according to a People’s Daily report – the province’s pivot is seen as a litmus test for the country’s broader energy overhaul.Under the provincial government’s recent proposals for its 15th five-year plan (2026-2030), released in early December, leaders discussed their ambitious goal of transforming Shanxi from a “major coal province” into a “comprehensive energy powerhouse”.Solar panels are seen in Ruicheng county, Shanxi province, where a shift away from coal-fuelled power has amplified. Photo: XinhuaThe blueprint seeks a delicate balance: maintaining coal’s role as a “bottom line” guarantee for national energy security while aggressively scaling up renewables.