Beijing, January 29, 2025 – The Europe Today: China’s renewable energy sector experienced significant expansion in 2024, with newly installed renewable energy capacity accounting for 86 percent of the country’s total new power capacity, according to data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Monday.
The NEA report revealed that China added 373 million kilowatts of new renewable energy capacity in 2024, marking a 23 percent year-on-year increase. Among the newly installed capacity, hydropower contributed 13.78 million kilowatts, wind power 79.82 million kilowatts, solar power 278 million kilowatts, and biomass power 1.85 million kilowatts.
By the end of 2024, the cumulative installed renewable energy capacity reached 1.889 billion kilowatts, a 25 percent rise from the previous year. This included 436 million kilowatts of hydropower, 521 million kilowatts of wind power, 887 million kilowatts of solar power, and 46 million kilowatts of biomass power. Notably, the share of renewable energy in China’s total installed power capacity reached a record 56 percent.
This marks the second consecutive year that renewable energy capacity has accounted for more than half of China’s total installed power capacity. In 2023, the country surpassed the 50 percent milestone for the first time in history.
In addition to capacity growth, China’s renewable energy generation reached 3.46 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2024, reflecting a 19 percent year-on-year increase and comprising approximately 35 percent of the nation’s total electricity output. Wind and solar power generation alone contributed 1.83 trillion kilowatt-hours, a 27 percent increase from 2023, surpassing residential electricity consumption, which stood at 1.49 trillion kilowatt-hours.
As China continues its pursuit of dual carbon goals, the nation is making substantial investments in renewable energy as a key driver of its green economy. With ongoing advancements in renewable technologies and infrastructure, China aims to further solidify its leadership in the global energy transition.