Chinese state-backed entities have scrapped two-thirds of planned overseas coal power projects since 2021, according to a joint study published by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and PACS. The cancellations removed 61.5 gigawatts of potential coal power capacity and prevented an estimated 6.4 billion tonnes of lifetime carbon emissions.
In parallel with the reduction in coal ventures, China-linked operational renewable energy capacity abroad expanded to 69.4 gigawatts by July 2026. The study noted that clean energy generation linked to Chinese developers grew rapidly over this period.
The report highlighted that the output from China-linked green power projects has now surpassed the capacity of cancelled coal projects in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and Tanzania. Researchers added that Chinese clean-energy developers continue to build strategic positions throughout the Gulf region to support domestic decarbonization targets.
Sources
- Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air · 2026-09-26
