Last year, China installed 1.5GW of nuclear and 300GW of renewables. China's total coal use decreased as they decommissioned and under-utilized more coal than they installed.

This same pattern is occurring everywhere, regardless of local politics or local economic system. See Texas as another example.

It's because new renewables is superior at contemporary market prices. Markets have decided. Governments have decided. Everyone has decided.

It's so boring to relitigate this constantly on HN. It's like debating whether the sky is blue. Ridiculous that this comes up so often.

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leonidasrup 15 hours ago | parent [-]

1 GW of renewables is not equivalent to 1 GW of nuclear or coal capacity,you need backup.

China is still building large amount of new coal power plants. In 2025, construction began on 83GW of new coal capacity – down from 98GW in 2024.

https://www.carbonbrief.org/rush-for-new-coal-in-china-hits-...

For comparision the total EU’s existing coal fleet is 109 GW.

https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/coal-is-not-making-...

The growth Chinas coal consumption is slowing down, but still growth no reduction in 2026.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulat...

	▲	energy123 14 hours ago \| parent [-]
		However you may try to put lipstick on a pig, the core of the matter is unchanged. China's coal use decreased, and they barely install any nuclear compared to renewables.