China’s non-fossil-fuel power capacity tops 2,000GW for first time ever

China’s installed non-fossil-fuel power capacity has surpassed 2,000 gigawatts for the first time, as the world’s biggest carbon emitter continues a strong push into renewable energy that is cementing its major role in the global clean energy drive.

Data from the China Electricity Council shows the installed capacity rose 23.3 per cent year on year by the end of last month, with non-fossil fuels now accounting for 58.8 per cent of China’s total installed power capacity, edging closer to Beijing’s 60 per cent target for this year.

Since the launch of the latest five-year plan in 2021, capacity in the sector has more than doubled, Xinhua reported on Thursday.

China is ramping up non-fossil energy development to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. The push is also a strategic move to reduce heavy reliance on oil imports and curb massive coal consumption.

The country’s installed capacity for new energy – primarily wind and solar – hit 1,460GW by the end of last month, up 32.5 per cent year on year and accounting for 42.8 per cent of the country’s total power generation capacity.

In 2020, China pledged it would have at least 1,200GW in solar and wind capacity by 2030, a benchmark it met in 2024.