2024-07-12 21:41:38
This year, China, the world’s largest producer of solar panels, will add 180 GW of solar power and 159 GW of wind power, for a total of 339 GW, according to the Global Energy Monitor.
Compared with Beijing, which is covered by thick clouds of pollution almost every day, this figure is surprising. The US Global Energy Monitor (GEM) counted on July 11 that nearly two-thirds of the world’s new solar and wind power installed capacity in 2024 will be in China. Therefore, in line with its goals (stabilizing carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060), China is investing heavily in wind and solar power, two renewable energy sources. For several years, thousands of solar panels and wind farms have been booming across China. And it won’t stop.
Beijing will add 340 GW of new electricity generation capacity from wind and solar by 2024. By comparison, that’s as much solar capacity as has been built in all of Europe to date.
READ ALSOChina’s trajectory toward carbon neutrality is credible
China turns to renewable energy
China has decided to work harder to achieve its environmental goals to reduce the use of fossil fuels. The population (1.4 billion inhabitants) and its manufacturing sector, which exports to all parts of the world, are extremely energy hungry. Despite a decline during the Covid-19 pandemic, growth is still maintained, with an increase of 5% in 2023.
my country’s total renewable energy generation is expected to grow “Between 2023 and 2028, electricity generation will exceed 2 terawatts, or 2,000 gigawatts (GW), thus growing three times faster than in the past five years. Solar will account for three quarters of this.” The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that this energy leap will be achieved by 2023. This is four times that of Europe and six times that of the United States during the same period. According to his forecast, “This year China will achieve its goal of cumulative solar PV and wind power installed capacity of 1,200 GW by 2030,” The IEA added.
This year, China, the world’s largest producer of solar panels, will add 180 GW of solar power and 159 GW of wind power, or 339 GW, according to the Global Energy Monitor. The 339 GW represents 64% of the solar and wind power currently under construction worldwide, and is almost twice as much as the rest of the world combined. Xi Jinping’s country is followed by the United States (40 GW), Brazil (13 GW) and the United Kingdom (10 GW).
READ ALSOChina is not meeting its climate goals by adding more coal-fired power plants
Can China break free from its dependence on fossil fuels?
China has historically relied on fossil fuels, especially coal, which has enabled it to meet its growing electricity demand. The latter will account for 60% of China’s energy mix by 2023, according to the IEA; China remains the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide. However, according to GEM, China’s total installed wind and solar power capacity will exceed coal-fired power capacity this year. The rapid expansion of renewable energy has given rise to hopes that China’s emissions will peak earlier than expected, according to research.
This is good news for the planet, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).This is the first time that no such permits have been issued in the first half of this year since China announced its 2030 and 2060 emissions commitments in September 2020.The Finnish institute’s study even talks regarding the possibility of “Rotation». «As China’s steel demand reaches its peak», IL«There is huge potential to phase out coal-fired power generation and a major opportunity to reduce emissions over the next 10 years», says Crea. However, Crea researchers say that Xi Jinping’s government will largely encourage the construction of new coal-fired power plants to create economic activity.
1720822660
#China #accounts #twothirds #global #solar #wind #capacity #construction