China aims to remain world leader in renewables

Plans to add 49 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity this year.

China is maintaining its focus on renewable energy in an effort to boost power production without increasing its reliance on expensive and messy fossil fuels.

China intends to add 21 gigawatts of hydroelectric capacity; 18 gigawatts of wind generation and 10 gigawatts of solar, according to the National Energy Administration. The agency is a unit of the National Development and Reform Commission that has broad administrative and planning control over the Chinese economy.

China is expected to surpass Germany to become the largest solar market this year by installing 5.4 gigawatts of photovoltaic panels and could install some 16.3 gigawatts of new, land-based wind capacity.

The government said China must develop energy in sync with the ecosystem, turning from excessive reliance on conventional hydrocarbon energy to more reliance on new and renewable energy.

China will also promote more efficient use of coal and will develop its shale-gas and coal-gas deposits and non-conventional oil and gas resources.