Power Emissions Drop: India And China Break A 52-Year Pattern
Why Did India And China Cut Power Emissions After 52 Years? Track the unexpected drop driven by solar growth, lowered coal use, and grid-level transitions.
For decades, rising electricity demand in Asia meant more coal. But in 2025, India and China pulled off a rare double: power sector emissions fell in both countries in the same year, the first time that has happened since the early 1970s. Investors noticed the signal too.
Clean generation finally grew faster than demand. China’s solar, wind, hydro and nuclear additions were large enough to push thermal generation into annual decline, even as consumption kept climbing. India saw a similar pattern as renewables and steadier grid supply covered more of the incremental load, so coal ran less often at the margin.
The Real Reasons Behind The Surprise Dip
Researchers tracking monthly data say China’s power emissions slipped by about 40 million tonnes of CO2e (around 0.7%) and India’s by roughly 38 million tonnes (about 4.1% over the first 11 months). That mattered globally because the two countries dominate power emissions, and their declines helped offset a sharp rise in US coal fired output.
This is not “coal is finished”. Both systems still burn a lot of it, and both are racing to add flexibility (storage, transmission, demand response) so renewables can keep scaling without blackouts. Still, the direction change is the point: the clean build out is starting to bend the curve.
The Viral Chart Everyone Shared
Carbon Brief posted the chart showing coal power falling in both countries for the first time in 52 years. If renewable build rates hold and grids keep getting stronger, this double drop can repeat. But heatwaves, drought hit hydro, or policy whiplash can still make coal rebound.
