China’s Wind and Solar Power Overtake Thermal for the First Time
In a groundbreaking achievement, the Chinese mainland’s wind and solar energy capacity has surpassed its thermal power capacity for the first time in history. By the end of March, wind and photovoltaic installations reached an impressive 1.482 billion kilowatts, according to the National Energy Administration.
This rapid growth in renewable energy means that wind and solar are set to maintain their lead over thermal power. In the first quarter of this year alone, wind and photovoltaic energy generated 536.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, making up 22.5% of the nation’s total power consumption—a jump of 4.3 percentage points from the same period last year.
The shift towards green energy doesn’t stop there. China’s total installed renewable energy capacity is projected to reach about 1.41 billion kilowatts by the end of 2024, accounting for over 40% of its total electricity capacity and overtaking coal-fired power.
Over the past decade, the Chinese mainland has intensified efforts to decarbonize its economy, leading to explosive growth in the new energy sector. Since 2013, installed wind power capacity has grown sixfold, while solar power capacity has skyrocketed more than 180 times. Remarkably, the country’s annual new installations represent over 40% of the global total, significantly contributing to worldwide green development.
This monumental shift not only showcases China’s commitment to combating climate change but also highlights its role as a global leader in renewable energy innovation.
