China's recent green energy boom provides cause for optimism over global warming

[geraldo fransisco]

A new analysis suggests that China's thriving wind and solar industries could hasten efforts to reduce global carbon emissions.

The worldwide capacity might be increased by 85% by 2025 just from the rise in solar panel installations.

According to the research, the UK is on track to meet its green energy goals for 2030 five years early.

However, the authors note that coal facilities are also expanding, in part to serve as a backup for the numerous new wind and solar farms.

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Many people believe that China holds the key to global success in reducing the carbon emissions that are driving climate change.

In order to generate power, the country consumes the most coal of any in the world. About 69% of China's carbon dioxide emissions are attributable to coal burning.

However, the results of this new study suggest that China is rapidly expanding its capacity to generate power from wind and solar, which might have a substantial impact on mitigating the effects of climate change.

Global Energy Monitor (GEM), a nonprofit think tank relied on by the World Bank, the International Energy Agency, and national governments, conducted the study.

The paper analyzes the current green energy capacity in China and gives predictions for the next two years based on what has been declared and what is currently under construction.

China is currently leading the globe in the number of solar panels deployed in large-scale projects, according to the report. Since 2017, the country has doubled the amount of power it generates from wind.

However, it appears that this is just the beginning. GEM predicts that China will more than quadruple its capacity for wind and solar by the end of 2025 due to the country's tremendous expansion in this industry.

This would result in a fifty percent increase in the global fleet of wind turbines and an eighty-five percent rise in large-scale solar installations in China.

This current expansion is the result of preparations made over the course of twenty years.

In that time, China has surpassed Japan as the world's largest producer of solar panels, resulting in price reductions across the industry. That's made it easier for renewable energy projects in China.

The role of subsidies and provincial rules mandating the achievement of green energy goals cannot be overstated.

China invested 55% of the world's total wind and solar investment of over $500 billion last year.

When asked about renewable energy in 2020, President Xi Jinping pledged that by 2030, China would have installed 1,200 gigawatts of solar and wind power. According to the findings of the latest study, this goal will be accomplished five years early.

To quote one of the report's authors, "we believe that the surge in building renewables certainly provides a basis for peaking [China's] carbon emissions earlier than 2030," (Martin Weil).

While this may be encouraging news for combating climate change, a huge obstacle still exists in China's heavy reliance on coal.

About two new coal-fired power plants were built in China per week in 2022. These plants were often situated in newly developed solar and wind farms to assure a steady supply of energy.

Going forward, "the big issue is how will these coal plants actually be deployed," Mr. Weil said.

It would be ideal if their use increased the proportion of renewable energy to coal.

Success in China's move away from coal will also be reflected in other vital indicators, such as the advancement of battery storage and the expansion of hydrogen.