China has reached a huge clean energy milestone. The National Energy Administration (NEA) announced on April 25, 2025, that solar and wind capacity in the country reached 1,482 gigawatts (GW) as of March, exceeding thermal power for the first time. The milestone is a turning point for China’s energy makeover.
A Historic Shift
Wind and solar now lead China’s power mix. The combined capacity hit 1,482 GW, overtaking fossil fuel-based thermal power. “China’s wind and solar power generation capacity surged to 1,482 gigawatts by the end of March,” the NEA reported. This beats the 1,200 GW target set for 2030, achieved six years early. But there’s a catch—wind and solar made up just 22.5% of electricity delivered in Q1 2025, even with over half the installed capacity.
Why the Gap?
Grid access is a hurdle. Fossil fuel plants still get priority, limiting renewable energy’s share. “Grid firms still prioritise electricity supplied by fossil fuel plants,” a Reuters report noted. This mismatch means much of China’s wind and solar energy goes to waste. A Global Energy Monitor report from 2024 says China has 180 GW of utility-scale solar and 159 GW of wind under construction, nearly twice the rest of the world combined.
Key Highlights
- Wind and Solar Capacity: 1,482 GW by March 2025.
- Electricity Share: Only 22.5% from wind and solar in Q1 2025.
- Construction: 180 GW solar and 159 GW wind underway.
- Target Beat: 1,200 GW goal for 2030 met six years early.
Challenges Ahead
China’s grid needs an upgrade to handle more renewables. Waning global demand for its turbines and panels has led to “front-loading” new capacity at home, per a Natixis report. But the grid isn’t ready, causing energy waste. Campaigners are pushing Beijing to double its 2030 target. Balancing growth with grid improvements is key to making renewables the main power source.
The Bigger Picture
China is the global leader in renewables. A 2024 Global Energy Monitor report notes it could hit 1,200 GW of wind and solar by the end of 2024, a year ahead of last year’s forecast. The country supported tripling global renewable capacity by 2030 in the 2023 Sunnylands Statement with the U.S. But its heavy reliance on coal—still a big part of its mix—slows the transition. A Wikipedia entry on China’s renewables mentions the 2005 Renewable Energy Law, which set targets and feed-in tariffs to boost clean energy.
China’s 1,482 GW milestone is huge. Wind and solar beating thermal power shows the country’s clean energy potential. But with only 22.5% of electricity from renewables, there’s work to do. Upgrading the grid and cutting coal use will be the next big steps in China’s energy journey.
