Wind and solar now account for 37% of the total power capacity in the country, an 8% increase from 2022, and widely expected to surpass coal capacity, which is 39% of the total right now, in 2024. Cumulative annual utility-scale solar & wind power capacity in China, in gigawatts (GW)
In 2023, clean power made up 35% of China’s electricity mix, with hydro the largest single source of clean power at 13%. Wind and solar hit a new record share of 16%, above the global average (13%). China generated 37% of global wind and solar electricity in 2023, enough to power Japan.
Wind and solar hit a new record share of 16%, above the global average (13%). China generated 37% of global wind and solar electricity in 2023, enough to power Japan. Despite the growth in solar and wind, China relied on fossil fuels for 65% of its electricity in 2023, making it the world’s largest emitter.
China generated 37% of global wind and solar electricity in 2023, enough to power Japan. Despite the growth in solar and wind, China relied on fossil fuels for 65% of its electricity in 2023, making it the world’s largest emitter. Its per capita power sector emissions were more than double the global average.
On wind energy, the country has doubled its capacity since 2017. But this appears to be only the start. According to GEM, China is expanding this sector rapidly and will more than double its capacity for wind and solar by the end of 2025.
The top six provinces for wind installation, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, and Gansu account for 43% of the total in the country, according to GEM. Although the onshore wind’s distribution among provinces has seen minimal change, offshore wind is rapidly advancing, with Jiangsu continuing to lead the country.