China has installed a record-breaking 216.9 gigawatts of solar panels in 2023, surpassing its previous record of 87.4 gigawatts in 2022 and exceeding the entire solar fleet in the US, the world’s second-largest solar market, Bloomberg reports.
China also added 75.9 gigawatts of wind power, doubling the previous year’s figure and setting another record. The surge in clean energy installations in China contributed to a global adoption of renewables, reaching a record 510 gigawatts in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). China likely accounted for 58% of global solar installations and 60% of global wind installations.
The increased renewable capacity allows China to reduce its reliance on coal, potentially peaking emissions ahead of its 2030 target. Despite the shift to renewables, China continues to add coal-fired power stations, citing the need for backup power.
Despite challenges, China is expected to sustain gains in renewable energy, with forecasts predicting a 7% increase in solar installations and an 11% increase in new wind capacity in the coming year.
