China's renewable energy sector has achieved a groundbreaking milestone: installed capacity of wind and solar power exceeded thermal power for the first time in history by March 2024, according to data released by the National Energy Administration. Wind and photovoltaic installations reached 1.482 billion kilowatts, signaling a transformative moment in the nation’s energy landscape.
The shift comes amid rapid growth in renewable infrastructure. In the first quarter of 2024, wind and solar generated 536.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity – 22.5% of China's total consumption, marking a 4.3% year-on-year increase. Renewable energy now accounts for over 40% of the country’s total installed power capacity, surpassing coal for the first time.
Since 2013, China’s wind power capacity has grown sixfold, while solar installations skyrocketed 180-fold. The nation now contributes over 40% of annual global renewable capacity expansions, driving global decarbonization efforts. Analysts attribute this surge to Beijing’s intensified focus on green industrialization and meeting climate commitments.
With the government prioritizing low-carbon technologies, this transition could reshape supply chains, influence global energy markets, and create opportunities for overseas investors in Asia’s clean energy sector. As one energy expert noted, 'China’s scale tilts the global equation – every solar panel or turbine installed here accelerates the world’s green transition.'
