Coal-fired electricity generation in China is expected to remain flat through 2040.

That’s according to the US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest report, which suggests other sources such as renewables, natural gas and nuclear power will make up increasing shares of China’s power production.

Despite the decline in coal’s generation share, it projects the source will remain an important component of the nation’s energy mix, peaking at nearly 4,400 billion kWh by 2030.

However, as China continues to replace older generators with more efficient units, its power sector’s coal usage is expected to peak as early as 2018 – at 4,800 million metric tons.

Coal remains the country’s largest source of power, accounting for more than 72% of its electricity generation in 2015.

The EIA’s long term projections however suggest China’s coal share steadily decreases to nearly 50% by 2040.

• China, EIA, Nuclear Power, Renewables, US, coal, gas