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China has achieved a “”historic first”” and a “”pivotal moment” as its total wind and solar energy project capacity has overtaken coal for the first time. Furthermore, it is anticipated that solar power will surpass coal during the following two years on its own.
China’s large population and sophisticated industrial base make it the world’s largest generator of greenhouse gases at the moment. Improvements in its energy grid and the rate at which it can reach peak emissions are essential for the global fight against climate change. Some scientists speculate that China’s emissions may have peaked already.”Both China and the global transition to renewable energy are at a crucial juncture,” says Rystad Energy senior analyst Simeng Deng.A robust pipeline of renewable energy projects is helping China shed its image as the world’s largest energy consumer and greenhouse gas emitter. Solar energy will be essential to this transition since supply chains, infrastructure, and capacity expansions are predicted to surpass coal in terms of energy output in the future.””
“This change has the potential to be a major accomplishment, changing China’s status from a massive coal-dependent nation to a leader in clean energy.””ystad Energy reports that, in the first half of 2024, wind and solar capacity increases in China exceeded coal by a factor of sixteen, while new coal capacity additions have reduced to just eight gigawatts. This analysis is based on an analysis of the latest statistics from China’s National Energy Administration.
By 2026, solar power alone is predicted to surpass coal as China’s primary energy source, with a cumulative capacity of 1.38 terawatts (TW), or 150 gigawatts (GW) more than coal, according to Rystad Energy. As of June of this year, solar and wind energy together have more capacity than coal.
China set a record last year with 293 GW of wind and solar installations, powered by gigawatt-scale renewable hub projects from the NEA’s first and second batches connected to the nation’s grid. This momentum has only accelerated since then, according to Rystad Energy.
Conversely, China’s coal-based sector is trending in the opposite direction. About 40 GW of new coal power were added last year; however, in the first half of 2024, this number decreased to just 8 GW.
Furthermore, China has tightened regulations on new coal-fired power facilities in an effort to meet its carbon emission reduction targets. Stricter rules are being imposed to new projects, older facilities are being renovated to reduce emissions, and smaller coal plants are being phased out.
