According to a report in China Daily on February 6, 2026
Northern China’s coal heartland emerges as a testbed for renewable integration, smart grids, and high-efficiency power generation.
Shanxi province, historically China’s coal powerhouse, has crossed a milestone: in 2025, installed clean energy capacity surpassed coal-fired generation, accounting for 55.1% of total power capacity. The transition demonstrates how resource-heavy regions can embrace renewables without compromising energy stability or economic growth.
Shanxi, one of China’s largest coal producers, has long supplied electricity across 24 provinces. Under China’s dual carbon goals—peaking emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060—the province is now a laboratory for energy transition.
“Roughly one-third of electricity consumed in Shanxi now comes from clean sources,” said the provincial energy administration, highlighting a twin-track strategy: phasing out inefficient coal units while rapidly expanding renewable installations.
Between 2021 and 2025, Shanxi retired over 4 million kW of outdated coal units and brought 6 million kW of advanced, efficient coal power online. Meanwhile, wind and solar capacity has grown at double-digit rates for several consecutive years.
“The change is not merely statistical. It reflects a broader realignment between energy transition, economic growth, and environmental governance,” said Qiao Junwei, professor at Taiyuan University of Technology.
Experts note that the next step involves enhancing grid flexibility and improving utilization of renewable power. Initiatives include smart grids, renewable hubs, and direct green-power supply to industrial users, allowing coal and clean power to complement each other efficiently.
“Shanxi’s shift shows that even fossil-fuel heartlands can lead the energy transition, sending a clear signal to other regions,” said Sun Yuhan, head of Shanxi Research Institute of the Huairou Laboratory.
Shanxi’s experience illustrates a pragmatic approach to balancing carbon reduction, economic stability, and energy security, providing a model for other resource-rich regions navigating the global shift to low-carbon energy.