China to double wind, solar capacity by 2025

It would exceed the 1,200GW 2030 target ahead of time.

China could double its utility-scale solar and wind power capacity and exceed its 1,200-gigawatt (GW) 2030 goal, five years before its target, according to the Global Energy Monitor (GEM).

In a report, GEM said China currently has 379GW of large utility-scale solar and 371GW of wind power capacities that have been announced or are in the pre-construction and construction phases, the majority of which are expected to start operations by 2025. 

The projects in the pipeline would be roughly equal to its current installed operating capacity of 757GW.

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“This new data provides unrivalled granularity about China’s jaw-dropping surge in solar and wind capacity. As we closely monitor the implementation of prospective projects, this detailed information becomes indispensable in navigating the country’s energy landscape,” said Dorothy Mei, project manager at Global Energy Monitor.

GEM added that almost all of the prospective capacity is part of the government’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and would increase the global wind fleet by nearly 50% and large utility-scale solar installations by more than 85%.