China’s power paradox
It is somewhat paradoxical that while China is the largest producer of coal-based electricity, it’s also largest in wind and solar. Over the last decade in China, wind power generation has expanded at a 22% compound annual growth rate and solar at 61% versus coal at 4%. Including hydroelectric power, clean energy makes up 28% of China’s electricity mix versus 60% for coal according to Ember Climate. In 2022, China generated more than 8,800 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, more than twice the US total. China’s clean energy output of 2,500 equates to nearly 60% of the US total electricity generation.
Source: Ember Climate, September 2023