China's wind and solar energy capacity has surpassed that of mostly coal-powered thermal for the first time
China leads globally in renewable energy, having added a record 357 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity in 2024, far surpassing other nations. The country achieved its 2030 target of installing 1,200 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity nearly six years early. The first quarter of 2025 saw renewable energy additions outpacing the nation’s overall electricity consumption growth, indicating a transformative shift in the energy sector. Yao Zhe, Global Policy Adviser at Greenpeace East Asia, stated: “This trend is very likely to continue in the following months and quarters in 2025.”
President Xi Jinping emphasized China’s dedication to environmental goals, saying: “No matter how the international situation changes, the country’s efforts to combat climate change will not slow down.” He announced that China will submit its 2035 greenhouse gas reduction commitments, covering all greenhouse gases, before the COP30 conference in November 2025. China has set targets to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
Coal remains a vital component of China’s energy mix, providing reliability due to the variable nature of wind and solar power. David Fishman, senior manager at the Lantau Group, noted: “The intermittency of variable renewables like wind and solar... means it’s generally inappropriate to compare them to firm, dispatchable power sources like coal.” In 2024, China initiated construction on 94.5 gigawatts of coal power projects to support its energy needs.
China’s energy consumption grew by 4.3 percent in 2024, driven by its industrial sector and population growth. Meeting this demand with renewable energy is challenging for a developing nation with significant industrial activity and relatively low per capita electricity use. Coal production rose from 3.9 billion tons in 2020 to 4.8 billion tons in 2024. However, Xi has committed to controlling coal power growth and phasing it down between 2026 and 2030. This milestone in renewable energy reflects China’s ongoing efforts to balance economic development with sustainable energy practices, supporting both domestic needs and global environmental objectives.
