The wind and solar complementarity in China is lower in the east and higher in the west. On an hourly scale, the complementary shows a downward trend, especially in central and eastern China. The peak-valley difference and fluctuation of net load demand will increase in most areas of China particularly under SSP5-8.5.
China added almost twice as much utility-scale solar and wind power capacity in 2023 than in any other year. By the first quarter of 2024, China’s total utility-scale solar and wind capacity reached 758 GW, though data from China Electricity Council put the total capacity, including distributed solar, at 1,120 GW.
Indeed, China is leading the way in renewables development. In July 2024, new data from Global Energy Monitor (GEM) found that China is building almost twice as much wind and solar energy capacity as every other country in the world combined, with 180GW of utility-scale solar and 159GW of wind power already under construction.
The smart and green Huaneng Longdong multi-energy complementary energy base has a total installed capacity of more than 10 million kW, more than 80 percent of which is clean energy. All projects at the base are scheduled to be put into operation within China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.
All told, 2023 saw unprecedented wind and solar growth in China. The unabated wave of construction guarantees that China will continue leading in wind and solar installation in the near future, far ahead of the rest of the world.
Integrating the complementarity of wind and solar energy into power system planning and operation can facilitate the utilization of renewable energy and reduce the demand for power system flexibility , .