China powers ahead in renewable energy drive
The Dunhuang Photovoltaic Industrial Park in Gansu province is just one of the many renewable energy schemes highlighting China's green initiatives. File photo: Reuters
China is accelerating its record-breaking renewable energy drive with 1.5 times more wind and solar installations this year than last – three-quarters of global capacity under construction, a report said on Wednesday.
It is a global leader in renewable energy, adding capacity at a faster rate than any other country.
This year alone it has 510 gigawatts of utility-scale solar and wind power under construction, according to the US-based Global Energy Monitor – 57 percent more than last year, when its installation far outstripped that of its closest peers.
Beijing has announced plans for 1.3 terawatts worth of projects so far, nearly equivalent to its existing solar and wind energy capacity of 1.4 terawatts.
China now accounts for three-quarters of all solar and wind capacity being built around the world, the report said.
The wind capacity currently under construction alone would be "enough to power about 120 million United States households".
The report comes after a separate group of researchers said in May that China's emissions fell in the first quarter of 2025 despite rapidly growing power demand, thanks to soaring renewable and nuclear energy.
Beijing has sought to position itself as a global leader on tackling climate change while its main rival the United States retreats from global cooperation under the administration of President Donald Trump.
The central government has pledged to achieve a 65 percent reduction in carbon intensity – or carbon emissions relative to GDP – by 2030 from 2005 levels.
President Xi Jinping pledged this year China's efforts to combat climate change "will not slow down" despite a changing international situation.
He also said China would announce 2035 greenhouse gas reduction targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions, before COP30 in November and that it would cover all planet-warming gases, not just carbon dioxide. (AFP)
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