China Sets New Global Record for Renewable Energy Installation in 2024

Jan 21, 2025, 05:31 AM

China set a new global record in 2024 for the installation of renewable energy capacity, according to official data from the National Energy Administration (NEA). The country added approximately 277 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity and 80 GW of wind capacity, surpassing its previous records. This expansion brings the total installed capacity of solar and wind power to 887 GW and 521 GW, respectively, exceeding the 2030 target set by President Xi Jinping by more than 15%. China's investment in renewable energy from 2011 to 2022 exceeded $50 billion, reflecting its commitment to achieving peak carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2060. Despite this progress, China remains heavily reliant on coal, though coal power permits dropped by 83% in the first half of 2024.