China Renewable Energy Capacity Hits 2.34TW in 2025

According to data released by China's National Energy Administration, China's total installed renewable energy capacity reached 2.34 billion kilowatts (2.34 TW) by the end of 2025, marking a historic milestone in the country's energy transition.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), China built the world's largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system. The share of renewable energy in total installed power capacity increased from 40% to approximately 60%, underscoring the rapid restructuring of the national energy mix.

Wind and Solar Capacity Surpasses Thermal Power for the First Time

In 2025, China's wind and solar power capacity combined exceeded thermal power capacity for the first time in history. Installed wind and photovoltaic capacity surged from 530 million kilowatts in 2020 to 1.84 billion kilowatts in 2025 — crossing thirteen consecutive 100-million-kilowatt milestones.

New-type energy storage capacity also surpassed 100 million kilowatts for the first time, accounting for more than 40% of the global total. Often described as 'giant power banks', these large-scale storage systems significantly enhance grid stability and improve the reliability of wind and solar generation.

Meanwhile, annual trading volume of renewable electricity green certificates exceeded the cumulative total of all previous years, accelerating the establishment of a green energy consumption promotion mechanism.

Energy Supply Structure Continues to Optimize

Behind these achievements lies the continued optimization of China's energy supply structure. Throughout the 14th Five-Year Plan period, new energy development achieved leapfrog growth.

Large-scale wind and solar power bases built in desert, Gobi, and arid regions — often referred to as 'Shagehuang' projects — became new growth engines. These projects added more than 130 million kilowatts of new installed capacity. Combined with ultra-high-voltage (UHV) transmission lines, they enable long-distance delivery of clean electricity from resource-rich western regions to major demand centers.

At present, green electricity accounts for nearly 40% of China's total power consumption — meaning nearly four out of every ten kilowatt-hours consumed nationwide come from renewable sources.

Green Consumption and Electric Vehicle Expansion Accelerate

China's energy consumption structure is also shifting toward greener alternatives. The country has actively promoted the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and green electricity, building the world's largest EV charging network.

Pilot programs encouraging vehicle-to-grid (V2G) interaction have been launched in several provinces, allowing electric vehicles to function as 'mobile power banks' that can supply electricity back to the grid during peak demand periods. The concept of low-carbon living is becoming increasingly embedded in public awareness.

Market-Oriented Energy Reform Drives Growth

Institutional and market reforms have played a crucial role in supporting this transition. The green certificate and green power trading system has been steadily improved, stimulating demand for renewable electricity consumption.

At the same time, market-oriented reforms of new energy on-grid pricing have advanced significantly, encouraging power producers to enhance efficiency and optimize generation performance under competitive market conditions.

China's Global Contribution to Carbon Reduction

By establishing the world's largest renewable energy system and the most comprehensive new energy industrial chain, China has made substantial contributions to global low-carbon development.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, wind and photovoltaic products exported from China helped other countries reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4.1 billion tons, highlighting China's expanding role in the global clean energy transition.

As renewable capacity continues to scale and green market mechanisms mature, China's energy transition is entering a new phase — one defined by high-quality growth, technological innovation, and deeper global climate engagement.