Solar wind and hydropower generation in China

How big is China's solar & wind power capacity?

Wind and solar now account for 37% of the total power capacity in the country, an 8% increase from 2022, and widely expected to surpass coal capacity, which is 39% of the total right now, in 2024. Cumulative annual utility-scale solar & wind power capacity in China, in gigawatts (GW)

Why is hydropower a stable source of energy in China?

Apart from increasing the use of wind and solar power, building more nuclear plants and further developing natural gas resources, hydropower has remained China's stable source of energy.

Will wind and solar power capacity increase in China in 2023?

Renewable power capacity in China if wind and solar capacity additions continue at same rate as 2023 every year from 2024 to 2030 Source: China National Energy Administration What are the obstacles? demand region remains a challenge. Although there is fast growth in power storage renewables, casting a shadow on wind and solar’s achievements.

How much solar power does China have in 2023?

China added almost twice as much utility-scale solar and wind power capacity in 2023 than in any other year. By the first quarter of 2024, China’s total utility-scale solar and wind capacity reached 758 GW, though data from China Electricity Council put the total capacity, including distributed solar, at 1,120 GW .

Why is China building pumped-storage hydropower facilities?

China is building pumped-storage hydropower facilities to increase the flexibility of the power grid and accommodate growing wind and solar power. As of May 2023, China had 50 gigawatts (GW) of operational pumped-storage capacity, 30% of global capacity and more than any other country.

Will wind and solar power be curtailed in China?

As wind and solar play an increasingly significant role in China’s electricity mix, the surplus energy generated will need to be stored. Otherwise, it will have to be curtailed, meaning some of the wind and solar power will not be used.