China Leads the Way in Global Clean Energy Revolution
As the world commemorates the 55th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2025, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” underscores the urgent need to transform global energy systems to combat climate change.
China, the world’s largest developing country and a pioneer in renewable energy, has made significant strides in reducing carbon emissions through the development of clean power.
Achieving Renewable Goals Ahead of Schedule
By the end of 2024, China reached approximately 890 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar power capacity and 520 GW of wind power, according to data from the National Energy Administration. These figures indicate that China has achieved its 2030 target of having a combined 1,200 GW of solar and wind power six years ahead of schedule.
Clean energy sources like solar and wind offer clear advantages over fossil fuels: they are abundant, non-polluting, and help reduce reliance on imported energy. In China, both energy types now demonstrate high utilization rates, exceeding 95 percent in most regions, ensuring efficiency alongside scale.
Transforming Energy Transmission
As part of the west-to-east power transmission project, east China’s Jiangsu Province has utilized ultra-high voltage (UHV) and extra-high voltage (EHV) technologies to import clean energy from major hydropower stations such as the Three Gorges, Jinping, and Baihetan. To date, over 700 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean hydropower have been transmitted to Jiangsu. This initiative has significantly alleviated power supply pressures and accelerated the province’s green energy transition.
Calculations show that this effort has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by over 600 million tonnes, equivalent to removing approximately 170 million gasoline-powered cars from the road for a year. At the lowest carbon price in China’s national carbon market in 2024, the ecological value of these emission reductions exceeds 41.4 billion yuan (about $5.7 billion).
Global Contributions and Cooperation
China’s commitment to clean energy extends beyond its borders. In August 2024, China Energy Engineering Group signed a $972 million deal with Saudi partners to build a 2 GW solar power plant. The project is part of Saudi Arabia’s green energy transition and involves joint efforts with the country’s sovereign wealth fund, Public Investment Fund (PIF), and ACWA Power. Construction is expected to be completed within 31 months.
In 2023, China and Denmark deepened cooperation in energy and climate by launching a new joint work plan. This plan prioritizes climate action and energy transition as central pillars of bilateral relations.
At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, China announced plans to implement 30 clean energy projects across Africa to support the continent’s green development. Additionally, China committed to providing 360 billion yuan (approximately $50 billion) in financial support to African countries over the next three years.
A Commitment to a Sustainable Future
These actions demonstrate China’s dedication to ecological civilization and international climate goals. As the global community pushes for greener, more sustainable development, China’s clean energy efforts stand as both a domestic success and a contribution to the global good.
