Datong, China's largest high-quality thermal coal production base, saw its coal-to-non-coal industrial output ratio narrow to 48.7:51.3 in 2025, with non-coal output share up 1.1 percentage points from 2024, signaling the city's gradual shift away from coal dependence.

Despite the transition, the city has pledged to firmly uphold its national responsibility for thermal coal supply during the 15th "Five-Year Plan" period (2026-2030), coordinating stable coal production, coal-fired power baseload and peak-shaving roles, alongside large-scale development of new and clean energy sources.

Datong holds coal reserves of 71.8 billion tonnes, the highest among China's coal-producing cities. From the 1970s to 2006, the city ranked first among prefecture-level cities nationwide in coal output and outbound shipments, cumulatively producing over 3 billion tonnes that supported industrial development across more than 20 provinces and were exported to over 20 countries and regions in Europe and America.

The city currently operates 59 coal mines with annual raw coal output of 150 million tonnes. During the 14th "Five-Year Plan" period (2021-2025), Datong delivered 430 million tonnes of guaranteed thermal coal to 20 provinces. Its total installed power capacity reached 19.16 GW, with average annual generation of 54.8 TWh and outbound power transmission of 36.7 TWh.

During the 15th "Five-Year Plan" period, Datong will build two modern mines — Panjiayao (10 million tonnes per annum) and Daxizhuang (5 Mtpa) — aiming to raise advanced coal production capacity to 90% of total.

On the coal-power front, the Guodian Hudong and Tongre Phase III projects are scheduled for completion by end-2026, with construction of the Tashan Phase III 2x1,000 MW project to start this year. Coal-fired power capacity is expected to exceed 14 GW by the end of the 15th "Five-Year Plan" period.

In new energy, the 6 GW Jinbei new energy base will be completed this year, alongside projects including the Guodian Hudong and Dafangxian new energy bases. New energy installed capacity is targeted to double to 22 GW by 2030, accounting for over 62% of total capacity.

The city will also develop biomass and geothermal energy based on local conditions, with priority on advancing projects such as the Tianzhen high-temperature geothermal integrated utilization base.

Datong has emphasized its transformation from a "major energy city" to a "strong energy city" during the 15th "Five-Year Plan" period, focusing on strengthening its "green energy +" advantages and promoting low-carbon energy, green industry and clean production.