For several years, China has made significant advances in the field of clean energy and seems to be moving toward a position of global leadership. Its efforts to achieve its renewable energy goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions have garnered admiration and interest on an international scale. But how does this country manage to make such progress, and above all, how does it succeed in anticipating the achievement of its objectives in this area by six years? Let’s dive into this fascinating dynamic to understand the path taken by China toward an exemplary energy and environmental transition.
China’s green transition: an accelerated model
China, the world’s largest polluter, is making a remarkable transition to clean energy. With a speed that surprises many observers, China is on track to meet its clean energy goals for 2030 as early as this month. How does this country manage to achieve this feat? Through the massive adoption of solar and wind energy.
Record growth of renewable energy in 2023
Already in 2023, renewable energy experienced unprecedented growth in China. The country has implemented radical measures to reduce its CO2 emissions and is increasingly relying on sustainable energy resources, particularly through the rapid transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and associated charging infrastructures.
Massive adoption of wind energy
The Global Wind Report 2024 by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) informs us that China set a new record by adding 75 GW of new wind installations in 2023, accounting for nearly 65% of the global total. This success is partly due to the establishment of the world’s largest offshore wind turbine, with a capacity of 18 MW.
China’s colossal solar projects
In parallel, China has also adopted solar energy on an unprecedented scale. In June, it activated the world’s largest solar park, with a capacity of 3.5 GW, located outside Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. But that’s not all: the country also plans to build a gigantic 8 GW solar farm as part of an integrated $11 billion energy project.
Impressive figures for 2024
According to the Climate Energy Finance (CEF) report from July 2024 report, China is set to reach its target of 1,200 GW of wind and solar installations as early as this month, six years ahead of the scheduled date of 2030. Between January and May 2024, the country added 103.5 GW of clean energy capacity, while its thermal energy additions decreased by 45% compared to the previous year.
A lead in numbers
- Between January and May 2024, China installed 79.2 GW of solar capacity, representing 68% of the total new capacities.
- Wind energy reached 19.8 GW, or 17% of new capacities, up 21% from the previous year.
By the end of May 2024, the total installed capacity in wind and solar energy in China reached 1,152 GW, and the country is poised to exceed its target of 1,200 GW this month.
Challenges and future prospects
Although China is rapidly advancing toward the adoption of clean energy, the country still largely depends on coal-fired power plants. To become a true global leader in clean energy, it is essential to continue closing these facilities in favor of more sustainable solutions.
Recent efforts clearly show that China is on the right track, but it is crucial to maintain this momentum and set even more ambitious goals.
