# China Renewable Energy Surpasses Targets Five Years Early

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/07/china-renewable-energy-surpasses-wind-solar-targets-five-years-early/
- Published: 2023-07-17T21:58:08-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Introduction

China renewable energy work is setting an example in the world. Especially by doubling
its [wind and solar](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/new-wind-turbine-and-solar-panels-at-town-of-coventry-ct/)
energy capacity. That’s as well as hitting its 2030 clean energy [targets](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/12/china-vs-the-world-the-battle-for-global-emissions/)
five years early. As per a new report by Global Energy Monitor, China is expected
to produce 1,200 gigawatts of solar and wind power by 2025. That’s of course if 
all prospective plants are built and commissioned. This report is a clear indication
of China’s continuous efforts. Most importantly to reduce [carbon emissions and become a global leader in renewable energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/how-can-the-industrial-sector-reach-net-zero-emissions/).

## China’s Clean Energy Targets

China has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2060. Therefore its recent efforts
to double its wind and solar energy capacity are a [testament](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/12/china-vs-the-world-the-battle-for-global-emissions/)
to its commitment. While some experts argue that China’s reliance on coal poses 
a significant challenge to [global green energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/12/green-city-lifestyle-choices-for-a-better-planet/)
targets. However, the pace of [wind and solar](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/12/solar-and-wind-energy-in-2025/)
development is a positive sign. Byford Tsang, [Senior](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/plants-help-improve-physical-and-mental-health/)
Policy Adviser at climate think tank E3G. Byford believes that China’s ability to
build and deploy homegrown, cost-competitive renewable [energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/07/china-might-be-winning-the-race-to-reduce-solar-costs/)
at speed and scale is a time to reflect. Especially bringing further calls into 
question the economic viability of new coal [projects into the future](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/12/tucannon-wind-energy-project-powering-oregons-future/).

![China renewable energy](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2019/03/apple_clean_energy_fund_china_tanghe_tianrun_07122018.jpg?resize=300%2C200&
quality=52&ssl=1)

## China’s Renewable Energy Boom

China’s [renewable energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/georgia-solar-family-program-free-solar-energy-access/)
boom is the result of a combination of incentives and also regulations. Solar capacity
in China is now greater than the rest of the world combined. Its onshore and [offshore wind capacity](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/02/uk-wind-energy-leads-europe-in-offshore-capacity/)
has doubled since 2017. In addition, it is roughly equal to the combined total of
the other top seven countries. Dorothy Mei, [Project Manager at Global Energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/05/project-navigator-enhances-renewable-energy-success/)
Monitor, said China’s surge in solar and wind capacity was “jaw-dropping.

![Sunrise over a solar panel field with wind turbines in the background highlighting
the integration of renewable energy sources](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/
wp-content/uploads/2023/07/create-a-highly-detailed-high-resolution-image-showcasing-
chinas-renewable-energy.png?resize=780%2C585&quality=50&ssl=1 "create-a-highly-detailed-
high-resolution-image-showcasing-chinas-renewable-energy - The Green Living Guy")

A stunning sunset view of wind turbines alongside solar panels symbolizing [Chinas renewable energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/03/environmental-green-group-combatting-greenwashing-issues/)
boom

## Incentives and Regulations

China’s renewable [energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/07/trumps-energy-bill-slashes-ev-and-renewable-incentives/)
boom is the result of a combination of incentives and regulations. The Chinese government
has implemented various measures. That’s including subsidies, tax incentives and
feed-in tariffs. Especially to encourage the development of [renewable energy sources](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/12/greener-on-the-other-side-6-renewable-energy-sources-you-should-know-about/).
In addition, the government has set ambitious [targets for renewable](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/02/westchester-county-government-needs-energy-management/)
energy generation. Moreover, it has implemented regulations to reduce [carbon emissions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/action-needed-now-to-fix-climate-change-preparedness-deficit/).

## Coal Production in China

While China has made significant progress in [renewable energy generation](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/what-to-know-about-investing-in-renewable-energy/),
it is still the world’s biggest producer of planet-heating pollution and is ramping
up coal production. Coal [power permitting in China](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/10/wind-power-china-installed-capacity-escalating/)
accelerated rapidly last year when new permits reached their highest level since
2015. The amount of new coal projects permitted was equivalent to two large coal
plants a week, according to a report by the Center for Research on Energy and [Clean Air and the Global](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/making-green-happen-through-economics-of-sustainability/)
Energy Monitor.

## Challenges to China’s Renewable Energy Goals

China’s reliance on [coal](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/01/texas-solar-energy-surpasses-coal-in-2025/)
poses a significant challenge to its renewable energy goals. However, the relative
cheapness of renewable [energy is likely to persuade China](https://greenlivingguy.com/2007/12/china-scooters-and-bikes-in-the-energy-crisis/)
to reduce its reliance on coal. Byford Tsang, Senior Policy Adviser at climate think
tank E3G, believes that [China’s](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/china-air-pollution-a-visual-documentation-project/)
ability to scale up its deployment of renewable power rapidly and successfully will
further call into question the economic viability of new coal projects into the 
future.

## China’s Energy Storage and Green Technologies

China needs to make bolder [advancements in energy storage and green technologies](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/07/technological-advances-to-increase-sustainable-food-production/)
for a secure energy future. Martin Weil, a researcher at Global [energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/05/hecate-energy-boosts-staten-islands-energy-future/)
Monitor, said that “with coal still holding sway as the dominant power source, the
country needs bolder advancements in energy storage and green technologies for a
secure energy future.” The Chinese government needs to allocate more resources to
research and development of energy storage and green technologies to achieve its
renewable energy targets.

## The Economic Viability of Renewable Energy

The economic viability of renewable energy is rapidly increasing, and China is leading
the way. Byford Tsang, Senior Policy Adviser at climate think tank E3G, believes
that China’s ability to build and deploy homegrown, cost-competitive renewable [energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/03/south-fork-wind-project-major-step-in-ny-renewable-energy-plan/)
at speed and scale further calls into question the economic viability of new coal
projects into the future. The Chinese government should continue to invest in [renewable energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/05/ai-energy-transforming-renewable-resource-management/)
and phase out coal to ensure a sustainable and secure energy future.

## No New Coal-Fired Power Plants

In 2021, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said that no new [coal-fired power plants](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/09/rule-power-epa-plan-obama-restrictions-coal-fired/)
can be built, and no new oil and gas be developed, if the world is to limit warming
to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This report from ERG calls into
question the economic viability of new coal projects into the future.

## Conclusion

China’s efforts to double its wind and [solar energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/01/tesla-solar-energy-power-installed-new-roof/)
capacity and hit its 2030 clean energy targets five years early are a testament 
to its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and become a global leader in renewable
energy. While China’s reliance on coal poses a significant [challenge to its renewable energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/04/wind-energy-radar-security-challenges-and-solutions/)
goals, the relative [cheapness of renewable energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/08/btc-mining-in-texas-cheap-electricity-and-renewable-energy/)
is likely to persuade China to reduce its reliance on coal. The Chinese government
needs to allocate more resources to research and development of energy storage and
green technologies to achieve its [renewable energy targets and ensure a sustainable](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/11/climate-energy-and-emissions-impacts-on-the-2024-us-election/)
and secure energy future.

[Source](https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/29/asia/china-solar-wind-energy-coal-climate-intl/index.html):
CNN

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
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