China’s solar, wind power capacity hits record high, surpasses thermal energy

China’s newly installed solar and wind power capacity exceeded 430 million kilowatts in 2025, marking a 22% year-on-year increase and setting a historic record, according to data from the National Energy Administration (NEA).

This growth pushed the cumulative grid-connected capacity of solar and wind power to 1.84 billion kilowatts, representing 47.3% of the country’s total installed power capacity—surpassing thermal power for the first time, China Daily reports.

Renewable sources contributed 22% of China’s total electricity output in 2025, underscoring the nation’s accelerating shift toward clean energy.

“Development of the new energy storage industry will be promoted in 2026 as part of efforts to accelerate the establishment of a new power system,” said Liu Deshun, chief engineer of the NEA.

According to a guideline issued by the National Development and Reform Commission in November 2025, China aims to establish by 2035 a power system capable of accommodating a high share of renewable energy, with enhanced mechanisms for energy consumption and regulation.

By Vafa Guliyeva