Renewable energy is driving China’s technological innovation and building a greener, smarter future. Moreover, China leads global renewable energy development.
According to the 2025 energy Nature Index, China outperformed other countries in clean energy output from 2019 to 2024. In fact, sixty-three of the top 100 energy research institutions are based in China, including all of the top 20. This clearly demonstrates China’s strong focus on renewable energy innovation.
Meanwhile, photovoltaic technology has improved significantly, increasing solar power stability and efficiency. For example, Jinko Solar’s high-efficiency N-type TOPCon modules reached 25.58 percent conversion efficiency. Additionally, the company will upgrade 40 percent of production capacity and reach 40-50 gigawatts by the end of 2025. Consequently, China’s renewable energy output will rise further.
Wind energy is also setting global records. In April 2025, a 16.2-megawatt turbine in Jiangsu Province became the world’s largest in unit capacity. Later, in August, a 26-megawatt offshore turbine in Shandong Province broke that record. Each turbine can generate 100 million kilowatt-hours annually, thereby powering 55,000 households and cutting CO2 emissions by over 80,000 tonnes.
China’s total installed wind and photovoltaic capacity reached 1.48 billion kilowatts by March 2025, surpassing thermal power. By June, capacity increased to 1.67 billion kilowatts, which is 13.6 percent higher than thermal power. Therefore, renewable energy now dominates the nation’s power generation.
Furthermore, energy storage technology addresses the intermittent nature of solar and wind power. Lithium-ion, flow-battery, and compressed-air storage help balance output and improve grid flexibility. Moreover, China led global new energy storage installation for three consecutive years. The sector’s capacity is projected to exceed 180 million kilowatts by 2027 and reach 300 million kilowatts by 2035.
Investment in renewable energy projects exceeded 80 percent of total power investment in 2024. This includes energy storage, charging infrastructure, and hydrogen projects. As a result, green power supports emerging industries such as electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic manufacturing.
In addition, renewable energy fuels China’s digital economy. AI, big data, and high-performance computing rely on green power. For instance, Shanghai’s Lingang underwater data center uses offshore wind and seawater cooling to lower energy consumption by up to 40 percent.
Experts say renewable energy strengthens China’s industrial competitiveness and environmental sustainability. Moreover, it supports the nation’s transition to a smart, low-carbon future. Therefore, continued innovation and investment will expand renewable energy’s role across all sectors.
