Headlines | News Surge in China’s coal power projects China Coal power


China has logged an increase in coal power projects in the first half of 2025, suggesting a resurgence in coal dependency despite the country’s advances in clean energy take up. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Global Energy Monitor’s latest review indicate a boom in commissioned coal projects, with the highest number of new and revived proposals in a decade.


In H1 2025, China commissioned 21 GW of coal power, the highest total for this period since 2016. Projections for the full year suggest that the total could exceed 80 GW. This follows a surge in coal power permitting during 2022 and 2023, with more than 100 GW approved annually. The trend is expected to persist into 2026 and 2027 unless curbed by policy intervention.


Despite a lower permitting rate of 25 GW in H1 2025, new and revived coal power projects reached 75 GW, the highest in ten years. Construction starts and restarts amounted to 46 GW.


This indicates industry pressure to expand coal projects before China’s 2030 carbon peaking deadline, contradicting the strategic phase-down needed to meet climate objectives. CREA China analyst and lead author of the review Qi Qin said: “China’s clean energy boom is driving both economic growth and decarbonisation, but continued coal expansion risks holding it back. More coal power plants would not only waste investment, but also crowd out renewables – the real engine of China’s economic future. To ensure energy security and sustained economic growth, the priority now must be to build a more flexible power system, stop adding new coal power, and set a clear path for coal’s decline.”


Lowest share of total generation Coal’s share in China’s power generation fell to a nine-year low of 51% in June 2025, comprising only 34% of the total installed capacity, while renewables reached 60%. This shift highlights coal’s declining role, despite efforts to expand its historic dominance.


China’s 2022 pledge to relegate coal to a ‘flexible, supporting role’ has seen little practical implementation. Only 1 GW of coal power was retired in H1 2025, far from the 14th Five-Year Plan’s target of retiring 30 GW by the end of 2025.


New targets


As China approaches its Nationally Determined Contributions and the 15th Five-Year Plan, the country faces a pivotal moment to establish binding targets and initiate policy reforms. Global Energy Monitor research analyst Christine Shearer commented: “Coal power development in China in the first half of 2025 shows no sign of easing, leaving emissions on a high plateau and stranding coal in the system for years to come. To ensure meeting its carbon peaking deadline by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China [needs to] commit to a set of strong policies to phase down coal power development and shut down high-emission and low-efficiency coal units.”


Data4 signs 12-year nuclear power deal with EDF


France Nuclear power European data centre operator Data4 has signed a 12-year nuclear production allocation contract with French utility EDF, securing a long-term supply of low-carbon electricity for its facilities in France.


The agreement, known as a CAPN contract, makes Data4 the first data centre operator in the country to secure such an arrangement. Under the deal, Data4 will receive an allocation of 40 MW from EDF’s nuclear fleet, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. The supply is expected to amount to around 230 GWh annually.


The contract includes a cost- and risk-sharing


mechanism and forms part of Data4’s wider strategy to cut carbon emissions and strengthen its sustainability commitments. François Stérin, Data4’s chief operating officer, described the deal as a milestone for the company:


“This contract is not only a strong environmental commitment; it is also a cornerstone of our growth and competitiveness strategy. Combined with renewable energy purchase agreements, it guarantees reliable, resilient, and continuous access to low-carbon energy at a controlled long-term cost.”


EDF executive director Marc Benayoun said


the agreement aligns with the company’s goal of supporting the development of the digital sector while advancing France’s energy transition:


“This partnership will enable Data4 to benefit from a low-carbon, competitive, and available electricity supply, which is a key asset for digital players.”


The deal comes as EDF continues to emphasise the role of nuclear energy in ensuring reliable power supplies. Last month, the company extended the operational lifetimes of its UK nuclear stations Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year, pushing their closure dates to March 2028.


NKT secures contract for Bornholm Island HVDC link


Denmark Transmission & distribution Danish transmission operator, Energinet, has awarded cable manufacturer NKT a contract worth approximately €650 million to deliver the 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable systems for the Danish connection to Bornholm Energy Island.


The scope of the agreement includes the design, production, and installation of around 200 kilometres of offshore cable and 16.8 kilometres of onshore cable, creating a critical link between Bornholm and Zealand. Bornholm Energy Island, located in the Baltic Sea, is being developed as a hub to collect up


to 3.8 GW of offshore wind power from future wind farms. Electricity from the facility will be transmitted to both Denmark and Germany through two HVDC interconnector systems. The project is considered one of Europe’s most significant renewable energy initiatives, aimed at strengthening regional energy security and facilitating cross-border power exchange. NKT will manufacture the cables at its renewable-powered high-voltage plant in Karlskrona, Sweden, close to the Baltic Sea project site, limiting emissions linked to transportation. Offshore installation will be supported by the company’s new cable-laying


vessel, NKT Eleonora, which is expected to enter service in 2027.


The award builds on an earlier contract NKT secured in 2023 under a framework agreement with German grid operator 50Hertz for the German side of the interconnector. NKT president and CEO Claes Westerlind welcomed the new agreement, stating: “Bornholm Energy Island is a key project for Europe to enhance energy security and the exchange of renewable energy. With this award, we reaffirm our strong commitment to building the sustainable and secure energy infrastructure Europe needs.”


www.modernpowersystems.com | September 2025 | 7


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