China’s clean electricity generation reached a new high in the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025), with more than 951 terawatt hours (TWh) produced, a 19% increase from the same period in 2024, reported Reuters, citing data from energy think tank Ember.
This growth outpaced other major markets such as Europe and the US, and raised the clean power share in China’s generation mix to a record 39%.
Wind farms led as the top source of clean electricity, contributing 307TWh and accounting for 13% of the total generation.
Solar power also recorded a 48% surge in output to 254TWh, representing a record 10% of total generation.
Utility-scale solar capacity in China exceeded 880GW in 2024, more than any other country.
This was due to new capacity additions, which for the first time allowed solar and wind to surpass hydropower dams in electricity generation during the January–March period.
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By GlobalDataHydroelectric power production also increased by 7% to 226TWh, while nuclear energy saw a 13% rise to 117TWh.
These developments enabled China to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, with coal-fired power output dropping by 4% to 1,421TWh and gas-fired plant output decreasing by 4% to 67TWh.
The 19% increase in China’s clean generation far exceeds the 6% growth in the US and contrasts with a 5% decline in Europe’s clean power output.
China’s lead is expected to widen, particularly with the anticipated boost in solar output during the peak months of July and August.
With more than 720GW of solar projects in the pipeline, including the 100GW Great Solar Wall, China’s dominance in clean energy is expected to continue.
The Great Solar Wall, being developed in Inner Mongolia and neighbouring regions, is scheduled to be completed by 2030.
In addition to clean energy expansion, China intends to keep building coal-fired power plants through 2027 under government upgrade plans.
