As a result, China has emerged as a global renewable energy juggernaut. In just the past half-decade, it has more than quadrupled its solar and wind-generating capacities. In just six years, by 2025, China’s solar capacity was almost four times that. Its wind capacity doubled, enabling the country to meet its 2030 renewable energy goals six years ahead of schedule. This staggering pace of expansion is a testament to China’s serious push toward clean energy alternatives, even as the country continues to build coal capacity.
The country’s renewable energy sector has since grown—not only in size, but in profitability. Even with this heavy growth, China is doing its part to solidify a clean energy leadership role on the world stage. The nation aims to nearly double its renewable power generation by 2030, which is projected to meet the combined energy demands of both China and the United States.
Significant Growth in Solar and Wind Energy
China’s solar installed capacity went from unique to extraordinary by nearly quadrupling that capacity over just five years. This increase is indicative of our country’s smart investments and innovative technology in accelerated solar energy production. At the same time, wind energy generation has made impressive strides, doubling within the same timeframe.
This remarkable increase in renewable capacity gives China a huge advantage on the global stage. As Nicki Hutley has said, global investment in renewables will reach twice that of fossil fuels by 2025. Over the coming decades, countries will spend trillions of dollars in this transition. The US, under Trump, has decided to do the unfathomably stupid thing and go in the other direction. Even though many heavyweight states and companies in the US are still forging ahead with renewable energy projects, it’s clear China is now leading and profiting.
Balancing Coal and Renewables
Even with all of this success building out much cleaner renewables, China is still building dirty, polluting coal power stations. What we do know from the data so far is that coal generation was down 3.4% compared to last year’s first half in 2025. This reduction is consistent with a decrease in total national emissions over this period. China is intentionally diversifying its energy mix and moving away from fossil fuels.
China’s plan is smart and strategic on coal and renewable energy. It’s a strategy that enables us to be energy secure today, while continuing the transition to greener, cleaner energy sources. This approach locks in China as Australia’s second-biggest coal export market. At the same time, it paints a nuanced and often contradictory picture of China’s energy outlook.
Impact on Global Climate Change
The contribution of China’s clean energy achievements to the overall progress made in addressing worldwide climate change has been very favorable. Because in 2024, the country’s clean energy exports led to a 1% reduction in global climate pollution. And come to find out, China is pouring more money into renewable energy than we ever thought. This step makes its position as a leader and as an important force against climate change through sustainable practices even more concrete.