Almost two-thirds of large wind and solar plants currently under construction worldwide are located in China, according to research released on Thursday. The rapid expansion of renewable energy in China is pushing coal’s share of electricity generation to historic lows.
A report by the US-based think tank Global Energy Monitor (GEM) reveals that China is building 339 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale wind and solar power, accounting for 64% of the global total. In contrast, the United States, which ranks second, is constructing 40GW of similar projects. This puts China more than eight times ahead of the US in terms of renewable energy development.
China’s remarkable pace in expanding its renewable capacity is crucial for achieving the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by the end of 2030. The authors of the GEM report suggest that even without additional hydropower, this target is “well within reach.” They also urge China to raise its climate pledges to the United Nations (UN) next year.
Furthermore, Beijing is set to meet its own 2030 target of installing 1,200GW of wind and solar power by this month—six years ahead of schedule—according to Sydney-based think tank Climate Energy Finance.
Despite these advances, integrating the surge in renewable energy into China’s coal-centric grid remains challenging. Faster development of transmission lines is necessary to accommodate the new capacity, notes GEM research analyst Aiqun Yu.
Nevertheless, the additional renewable capacity has led to record-high renewable energy generation, as highlighted in a separate analysis published by Carbon Brief. In May, China generated 53% of its electricity from coal, marking a record low, while 44% came from non-fossil fuel sources—a record high. This shift suggests that China’s carbon emissions may have peaked last year if the trend continues, according to Lauri Myllyvirta, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.
The share of coal in electricity generation fell from 60% in May 2023 to 53% in May 2024. Solar power generation rose to 12%, wind to 11%, hydropower to 15%, nuclear to 5%, and biomass to 2%.
The increase in renewable energy generation has led to a 3.6% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the power sector, which constitutes about 40% of China’s overall emissions. If the rapid deployment of wind and solar power continues, China’s CO2 output is likely to keep falling, making 2023 the peak year for the country’s emissions, according to Myllyvirta.
| Energy Source | Share of Electricity Generation (%) |
|---|---|
| Coal | 53% |
| Solar | 12% |
| Wind | 11% |
| Hydropower | 15% |
| Nuclear | 5% |
| Biomass | 2% |
In May 2024, solar power generation soared by a record 78% year-on-year, reaching 94 terawatt hours (TWh). Data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported a 29% increase in solar power generation, excluding rooftop solar panels, which accounts for about half of the electricity generated from solar.
Wind power generation increased by 5% year-on-year, reaching 83TWh, despite a 21% increase in capacity. This increase was offset by lower utilization due to variations in wind conditions. Hydropower generation rose by 39% compared to the previous year, which was affected by a drought.
On the other hand, gas-fired generation fell by 16%, and coal-fired power generation decreased by 3.7%, even though the total electricity demand increased by 7.2% year-on-year.
- China’s Renewable Capacity: China is building 339GW of wind and solar power, 64% of the global total.
- Coal vs. Renewables: Coal’s share in electricity generation fell to a record low of 53% in May, while non-fossil fuels accounted for a record high of 44%.
- Renewable Generation Growth: Solar power generation rose by 78% year-on-year in May, and wind power generation increased by 5%.
- Emissions Impact: CO2 emissions from China’s power sector fell by 3.6% in May.
- Future Outlook: If the rapid deployment of renewables continues, China’s CO2 emissions are likely to keep falling.
The growth in renewable energy in China marks the country’s pivotal role in the global transition to sustainable energy. However, the integration of this new capacity into the existing grid presents ongoing challenges that must be addressed to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply.
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