China’s new renewables account for 86% of new power in 2024

Its cumulative capacity has increased by 25%.

China’s newly installed renewable energy capacity accounted for 86% of its total fresh additions in 2024, the government said.

Citing data from the National Energy Administration, the cumulative installed capacity of renewable energy made up a record high of 56% of China’s total capacity.

The total installed capacity of its renewable energy reached 1.889 billion kilowatts as of end-2024, a 25% increase from the previous year. Solar power for 887 million kilowatts (kW), followed by wind power with 521 million kW, hydropower with 436 million kW, and biomass power with 46 million kW.

China said its green transition achievements are “closely tied to top-level planning.”

In July 2024, the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee's third plenary session resolved to deepen reforms to focus on a "Beautiful China." This would be achieved by accelerating the green transition across economic and social development, and by placing ecological protection at the forefront.

Guidelines were released in August 2024 to accelerate the green transition across all areas of economic and social development, providing systematic arrangements to advance this agenda.

Beijing’s Central Economic Work Conference has also outlined major tasks for 2025, calling for more efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development, and boost economic growth with a concerted approach.