The world’s largest emitter has set a target of doubling its wind and solar power output by 2025 to combat climate change.
In a document released on June 1 on the “new five-year plan”, China’s economic planners said 33% of the national grid’s supply will come from renewable energy by the end of the year. 2025, up from 29% in 2020.
“By 2025, annual electricity production from renewables will reach about 3.3 trillion kilowatt-hours, of which wind and solar power will double,” the plan said.
China is currently the largest producer of renewable energy, but also the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions because it is “the world’s factory”. The country has accelerated investment in solar and wind projects to tackle pollution, and pledged to peak emissions by 2030 and move towards carbon neutrality by 2060.
China currently leads the world in renewable electricity production. Image: AFP
Data from China’s National Energy Administration shows that investment in solar energy nearly tripled in the first four months of 2022, to 29 billion yuan ($4.3 billion), compared with investment level from January to April of the previous year.
However, Beijing has also increased its reliance on coal power plants in recent months to ensure energy security as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has pushed up global energy prices.
In March, authorities asked miners to dig up 300 million tons more coal this year. China National Grid Corporation said the country plans to start cutting coal consumption from 2026.
Doan Duong (Follow AFP/Reuters)
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