Reuters has gone on to report, citing the data from energy think tank Ember, that the clean electricity generation in China has reached a new high altogether in the first quarter of 2025, with over 951 TWh of electricity produced, which is an increase of 19% from the same period last year.
This growth has, as a matter of fact, outpaced other important markets like the US and Europe and gone on to raise the clean power share when it comes to China’s generation mix to a historic 39%.
It is well to be noted that wind farms have led the way when it comes to clean electricity generation in China by contributing 307 TWh and comprising 13% of the total electricity generation. In addition to this, solar power also recorded a huge surge of 48% and jumped to 540 TWh, thereby representing a record 10% of the total electricity generation.
Interestingly, utility-scale solar capacity in China went on to exceed 880 GW in 2024, which was more than any other country.
This was because of the new capacity additions, which took place for the first time, which enabled solar as well as wind to overtake hydropower dams in electricity generation during the months of January and March. The production of hydroelectric power also rose by 7% to 226 TWh, whereas nuclear energy witnessed a 13% rise to 117 TWh.
These developments have gone on to help China to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, with coal-fired power output dipping by 4% to 1421 TWh and, on the other hand, gas-fired power plant output decreasing further by 4% to 670 TWh.
The 19% jump in clean electricity generation in China goes far beyond the 6% growth in the US and rather a 5% decline in Europe’s clean power output.
This lead of China is expected to widen further, especially with the anticipated thrust in solar output during the peak July & August months.
With over 720 720GW of solar projects that happen to be in the pipeline, including the 100 GW Great Solar Wall, the dominance of China in clean energy is anticipated to move forward.
It is worth noting that the Great Solar Wall, which is being developed in Inner Mongolia as well as neighboring regions, is all set to be completed by the end of this decade. Besides clean energy expansion, China looks forward to keeping building coal-fired power plants as well all through 2027, as per the government’s upgrade strategy.
The above news is based on the report published by Reuters.
