Renewable energies in China: On the way to becoming a green superpower

China has rapidly become a global leader in renewable energy in recent years. The world's largest CO₂ emitter is in the midst of an unprecedented transformation of its energy system. While other nations are still debating the implementation of green strategies, China is forging ahead with the expansion of solar and wind power at a record pace – though not without challenges.

By the end of 2024, China had a total electricity generation capacity of approximately 3,349 gigawatts (GW). Of this, over 1,878 GW came from renewable energy sources, representing a doubling within two years. Photovoltaics played a central role: with more than 1,080 GW of installed solar power (as of May 2025), China is a world leader – more than double the capacity of the rest of the planet combined. Wind power capacity reached approximately 604 GW during the same period, with strong growth both onshore and offshore.

The dynamic expansion is also reflected in electricity generation: In April 2025, solar and wind power plants generated over a quarter of China's total electricity for the first time – solar accounted for 12.4%, wind for 13.6%. In the first quarter of 2025, the share of all renewable sources in the electricity mix was around 39%, while the share of coal fell to a record low of 53% – a significant shift in a country that has traditionally relied heavily on fossil fuels.

However, the sheer scale of this expansion also brings problems. Many of the newly built plants do not feed all of their electricity into the grid – this so-called "curtailment" particularly affects remote regions like Tibet and Qinghai, where up to 30% of the generated solar energy remains unused. On average, curtailment for solar energy was 6.6% in 2024, and for wind power, it was 5.7%. The main causes are inadequate grid infrastructure, regional imbalances in demand, and a lack of flexibility in conventional power plants.

To meet these challenges, the Chinese government is investing heavily in storage technologies and grid expansion. The Fengning pumped-storage power plant in Hebei province, commissioned in August 2024, is the largest of its kind in the world with a capacity of 3.6 GW. Furthermore, around US$215 billion is to be invested in new high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines by 2030 to transport renewable electricity from the west of the country to the densely populated eastern regions.

The energy transition is also of great economic importance. In 2024, the renewable energy sector contributed around 10% to China's gross domestic product. However, this boom has also had its downsides. Due to overcapacity and falling global market prices, leading Chinese solar manufacturers such as Longi and Trina Solar were forced to cut thousands of jobs – a total of around 87,000 positions were lost. The Chinese government is already considering measures to manage this development, such as production limits or coordination mechanisms similar to a "solar OPEC".

Despite impressive progress, China's climate record remains ambivalent. The expansion of renewable energies goes hand in hand with a parallel expansion of coal-fired power plants – over 66 GW of new coal-fired power capacity was approved in 2024 alone. This is done for reasons of energy security and security of supply, particularly during periods of high electricity demand or weather-related fluctuations.

In the long term, however, China is pursuing ambitious goals: By 2030, over 2,460 GW of renewable energy capacity is to be installed, and by 2060 the country aims to be climate-neutral. Many experts assume that peak coal-fired power generation could be reached as early as 2025 – and that by the end of the decade, more than half of China's electricity consumption will come from renewable sources.

Conclusion:
China is at the forefront of the global energy transition – at an unprecedented pace and scale. The expansion of renewable energies is impressive in its magnitude and is transforming the energy market worldwide. However, to fully exploit this potential, further structural reforms are necessary – in the grid, in storage, and in the economic balance of industry. The coming years will show whether China can become a role model for others not only in terms of capacity, but also in the actual use and integration of clean energy.