Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 7, China imported 35.61 million tons of coal in July 2025, a 23% decrease compared to the same month last year, according to data from the country’s customs agency reported by Reuters. Despite this decline, July’s imports rose from June, which recorded the lowest coal imports in two years. The reduction in imports reflects robust domestic coal production and increased reliance on alternative energy sources.

Strong domestic coal output has significantly reduced the need for overseas purchases. From January to May 2025, domestic production reached a record high, with full-year output projected to increase by approximately 5%. Additionally, power generation from hydropower, wind, and solar has grown, further limiting demand for coal-based electricity. Meanwhile, coal exports have risen by 13% in the first five months of 2025, driven by ample domestic supply.

For the first half of 2025, China’s coal imports totaled 221.7 million tons, down 11% from the previous year. The China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association estimated last month that full-year imports for 2025 could be 50 to 100 million tons lower than in 2024. Factors contributing to this trend include a slowdown in industrial activity and challenges in the real estate sector, which have reduced overall coal demand.

The pace of new coal power plant approvals has also shifted. After a 41.5% decline in approvals in 2024, totaling 62.24 GW, China approved 11.29 GW of new coal power capacity in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing the 10 GW approved in the first half of 2024, according to Greenpeace data. This indicates a renewed focus on expanding coal-fired generation capacity to meet energy needs.

The interplay of increased domestic production, growth in renewable energy, and economic factors has reshaped China’s coal import landscape. The rise in exports and reduced imports highlight efforts to balance energy supply with sustainability goals, leveraging both traditional and renewable energy sources to support economic stability.