Amidst growing concerns over climate change and resource depletion, energy transition has become a critical global issue. China’s rapid expansion in solar and wind energy stands out worldwide. China has made great progress in policy support, technological advancements, and energy structure shifts. The country’s efforts impact solar and wind energy growth but there are still ongoing challenges and future research directions.
As the climate crisis intensifies, more nations are recognizing the need for a major energy shift. As the World Economic Forum (WEF) has argued, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrification are seen as key pillars for this global transition. Renewables have become the most cost-effective source of power generation, especially as the cost of solar and wind energy has plummeted. China and Europe, among other regions, have set targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, signaling a global shift toward electrification and decarbonization.
Under this context, China has made significant progress in solar and wind energy. Take Yuexi County in Anhui Province, as reported in Dialogue Earth, where a solar poverty alleviation project provides solar panels for underprivileged households, allowing them to not only power their homes but also sell remaining electricity for extra income. This project demonstrates the social benefits of renewable energy promotion in China.
The acceleration of the global energy transition depends on the rapid deployment and advancement of renewable energy technologies. WEF projects that global electricity demand will grow three to fourfold in the coming decades, with solar and wind becoming dominant in the global energy mix. As documented in Yale Environment 360, in China, renewable energy policies have focused on expanding solar and wind power generation, with low-interest loans and subsidies helping to make solar projects a priority for local governments and companies. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2030, China’s share of renewable energy will make up over half of the global total, with solar expected to drive much of this growth.
China has implemented a series of incentives to support renewable energy development, with carbon peak and neutrality goals emphasized in the 14th Five-Year Plan. Through the publication of the policy, solar projects, backed by low-interest loans and subsidies, are now top priorities for local governments and companies. The Whole Country Photovoltaic (PV) program is a good example, promoting solar PV installations in rural areas, which has increased solar applications across the nation. China has become a global leader in solar PV manufacturing.
Reported in pv magazine, as of June 2024, China’s installed solar and wind capacity surpassed coal as a primary electricity source. Since 2011, wind and solar installations have shown steady growth, highlighting the rapid expansion of renewables in the country’s energy mix, while coal’s share has remained relatively stable or even declined. By 2026, solar power is expected to become China’s primary electricity source, reaching a capacity of 1.38 terawatts, which is 150 gigawatts more than coal. This trend underscores China’s significant investment and progress in renewable energy, particularly in solar power.
Despite China’s notable progress, practical challenges remain. First, insufficient grid infrastructure and storage capacity hinder renewable energy stability during peak demand. Wind and solar power don’t produce a steady flow of electricity—they vary with the weather and time of day. Solar panels only generate power when the sun is out, and wind turbines need a good breeze to keep running. This up-and-down nature makes it tricky to balance electricity supply and demand on the grid. To manage this, we need a more flexible grid, and that’s where storage systems, like batteries, come in. They can save up extra energy when it’s sunny or windy and release it when conditions aren’t as ideal, helping keep the power supply smooth and reliable. Although coal’s share in China’s power structure is declining, energy security concerns mean that coal power will still play a role in the short term, posing challenges to a full transition to renewables.
China’s approach to the renewable energy transition offers valuable lessons for other countries. Through policy incentives, technological innovation, and industry integration, China has achieved rapid growth in solar and wind capacity. By comparison, many countries are experiencing a slower transition, especially those heavily dependent on coal. Reported in Energy Digital, China has promoted energy transition both domestically and internationally, supporting solar and wind projects in other countries through its Belt and Road Initiative, further advancing global renewable energy adoption. This collaborative approach helps tackle global climate challenges and provide a pathway for the world’s energy transition.
China’s accomplishments in the renewable energy transition are impressive, achieving rapid capacity expansion and setting an example in policy support, technological progress, and global cooperation. Through strategic policies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan and massive investments in solar technology, China has rapidly expanded its renewable capacity and now accounts for over 80% of global solar PV manufacturing capacity, which has helped drive down the global cost of renewables. However, achieving full integration of renewables into the energy system will require addressing grid and storage constraints, a goal consistent with China’s ambition to peak emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. These challenges will position China not only as a leader in renewable capacity but as an innovator in the infrastructure essential for sustainable energy at a global scale.
