China is strengthening its role as a global leader in renewable energy, currently building wind and solar capacities far exceeding those of the rest of the world combined, a recent study reveals.
With 339 gigawatts (GW) under installation, including 180 GW for solar energy and 159 GW for wind, China accounts for 64% of the new global capacities under construction, according to the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) report. This figure is nearly double that of other countries combined.
In comparison, the United States follows with 40 GW under construction, Brazil with 13 GW, the United Kingdom with 10 GW, and Spain with 9 GW.
China, despite being the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is committed to stabilizing its emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. This massive expansion of renewable energy demonstrates a proactive willingness to meet these commitments.
However, the country continues to rely heavily on coal to meet its growing electricity demand, particularly in the industrial and densely populated eastern regions. This dependence on coal poses logistical challenges, including transporting renewable energy from remote areas to economic centers.
Despite this, the combined capacity of wind and solar energy in China is expected to surpass that of coal this year, a positive indication of the country’s energy transition. This rapid growth in renewables could allow China to reach its emissions peak sooner than expected.
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea), in a separate report, notes that China has issued no new permits for coal-fired steel mills in the first half of 2024. This development, described as a “turning point,” could signal a gradual reduction in coal-based steel production, providing a significant opportunity for emissions reduction.
As climate change intensifies extreme weather events, China is experiencing severe weather conditions, with heatwaves in the north and torrential rains in the south, leading to deadly floods and landslides.