China has made significant strides in renewable energy development over the past year, achieving unprecedented levels of wind and solar power installations and far surpassing the efforts of other nations. According to the National Energy Administration, the country added a remarkable 357 gigawatts of solar and wind energy, marking increases of 45% in solar capacity and 18% in wind energy compared to the previous year-end totals. This addition is comparable to constructing 357 large-scale nuclear plants within a single year.
These extensive installations allowed China to exceed its renewable energy target of reaching 1,200 gigawatts by the year 2030—a goal set by President Xi Jinping five years ago and fulfilled a full six years ahead of schedule. The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated, especially considering that China remains the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, heavily relying on coal-burning for electricity generation, cement production, and other industrial processes.
Despite being the largest contributor to global carbon emissions, China seems to acknowledge that accelerating the development of renewable energy sources is crucial for both energy security and addressing climate change. Daniel Jasper, a senior policy advisor at Project Drawdown, noted that due to recent political changes in Washington, China appears positioned to take a leading role in the global transition to sustainable energy.
Recent figures from Carbon Brief indicate that China’s carbon dioxide emissions, while still on the rise, experienced a slight decline when comparing the last ten months of 2024 with the previous year’s data. However, it remains uncertain whether this trend signifies a significant shift in the global emissions landscape.
Meanwhile, the United States also demonstrated a notable increase in clean energy capacity, albeit at a lower level than China, adding 268 gigawatts of solar and wind installations, as per preliminary reports from the American Clean Power Association.
China’s dominance extends beyond just the generation of renewable energy; it is also the leading global exporter of clean energy technology. The country is the primary supplier of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electrolyzers necessary for hydrogen fuel production, according to the International Energy Agency. The scale of Chinese manufacturing has contributed to a decline in prices for solar and wind energy, making these options more cost-effective than fossil fuel-derived electricity.
Innovative advancements continue in China’s renewable energy sector. Recently, a Chinese artificial intelligence company, DeepSeek, announced promising breakthroughs that could lead to more efficient energy production methods while using less electricity.
In contrast, the clean energy industry in the U.S. faces challenges under the leadership of President Donald Trump, whose administration has issued executive orders halting leasing and permitting for wind energy projects and promoting fossil fuel extraction initiatives, including drilling and mining in Alaska, while also declaring a national energy emergency.
