The scale of China’s renewable energy expansion is remarkable. Between March 2023 and March 2024, China installed more solar than it did in the previous three years combined, and more than the rest of the world combined for 2023. GEM analysts estimate that China is on track to reach 1,200 GW of installed wind and solar capacity by the end of 2024, six years ahead of the government’s target. “The relentless wave of construction ensures that China will continue to lead the way in wind and solar installations for the foreseeable future, well ahead of the rest of the world,” the report says.
However, reaching these impressive job function email database numbers is only part of the challenge.
Analysts warn that even more renewable capacity will be needed for China to meet its ambitious goal of reducing the carbon intensity of its economy by 18%. Carbon intensity measures the amount of CO2 emissions produced per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated.
Recent studies indicate that China will need to install between 1,600 and 1,800 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar power by 2030 to meet its goal of getting 25% of its energy from non-fossil fuels. However, from 2020 to 2023, only 30% of its energy consumption growth was met by renewables, still below the 50% target.
Climate Hub at the Asia Policy Institute in Washington, DC, highlighted the complexity of this transition in an interview with The Guardian. “It’s obviously important for China to continue to add more renewable energy to meet its goals,” he said. “But it’s not as simple as just continuing to build, because there’s no sign that the country is moving away from its coal use.”