China is changing the global renewable energy sector, building wind and solar power projects like never before. Given that China is the largest carbon dioxide emitter in the world, the transition from fossil fuels towards clean energy resources in China may provide a leverage for climate change mitigation on a global scale. However, there is a question whether this renewable boom can compensate the country’s dependency on coal?
Renewable energy in the form of solar and wind power in China breaks all global boundaries
China is surpassing the rest of the world combined, in terms of development of wind and solar energy capacities. As per the research conducted by Global Energy Monitor, China has current construction of 339GW utility-scale solar and wind projects in progress which is above more than double of the global construction rate.
The growth consists of 180GW of solar and 159GW of wind, with the country having beaten its 2030 renewable energy aspiration six years in advance. Alongside these bigger undertakings, small-scale ground-mounted solar farms account for approximately forty percent of this nation’s solar power capability; thus, the actual numbers are probably immoderately more than that.
Interestingly, more solar power was installed in a single year in China (2023) than the total amount installed in the last three years combined. This attitudinal shift infused growth in the renewables sector has technology growth and adoption by the populace because of favorable government policy of the country.
Coal remains king despite the growth of renewable energy in China’s energy portfolio
In China’s energy dynamics, despite notable achievements in renewable energy, coal continues to play a pivotal role. Even though renewables have managed to capture 37% of power generation, coal continues to be the primary source of energy security and economic development.
The country endorsed four times more coal power stations between 2022 and 2023, than in the prior five-year period, which undermines its commitments towards climate change. It is claimed that to achieve climate goals, China should speed up the rate of phase out of coal plants.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that there has been no achievement – some of the existing plants are yes being taken out of service and the use of renewable energy is taking the place of coal. Revamping energy transmission infrastructure, for example enhancing storage and investing in Lithium-ion batteries is not an option but a must if clean energy is to be optimally managed.
The renewable energy leadership of China: What can the rest of the world learn from it?
The World has something to learn from China’s renewable energy technology trajectory. It occupies almost 50 percent share globally of wind and solar power in terms of capacity and performance has ranged building because sans parallel exporting solar panels placing at perfection territorial envelopes of cut-throat margins within margins.
This is very important in reducing global emissions as the world would have to cut down its emissions by about 30 percent even before 2030, to avoid releasing gases into the atmosphere that are approximately less than 4.7 billion tons in emissions otherwise the size of the economy of the US that is presently released within a year.
Despite emissions expected to be maximum around that time, the rate of reductions will be fundamental in determining whether China will comply with global climate targets. Positive, it may allow to speak about the changes, emits figures decreased by 1% of last emissions. But it must be quite deep and steady to be of such a scale. If achieved, such a shift in China’s policy might be a breakthrough change in the global response to climate change.
The advance of renewable energy in China is not an isolated development but rather an intentional strategy towards sustainability. However, riding on her clean energy ambitions, the country’s long-lasting dependence on coal gives some reasons for optimism. China is a country of great interest since its policies have an impact on the climate.
