In a season of record temperatures, fires and floods, there’s a glimmer of hope that averting the worst of climate change might still be possible. China, the world’s top carbon emitter and greatest user of coal, is rolling out renewables at breakneck speed.
This year alone, China could add more solar power than the cumulative total in place in the United States. Last year, the increase in China’s solar and wind power nearly matched the amount of electricity used in many of the world’s major economies, including South Africa, Australia and Spain.
Catherine Rampell: Renewables are saving Texas. Again. So give them their due.
This dizzying pace means China’s carbon dioxide emissions will peak years ahead of its 2030 target. And where one global power leads, others are compelled to follow.
After several years of rapid installation, China’s solar and wind output is big. Its total solar and wind power generation — not the annual increase — in 2022 was more than twice the electricity use of Canada, and far more than what Brazil, Japan or Russia consumes. This year, its solar and wind output could get close to the total power output of India.
China’s combination of economic clout, centralized power and rising energy demand put it in a unique position. No other nation is rolling out renewables nearly this fast. Many low- and middle-income countries need more energy but lack the cash to build. Rich countries have cash but stagnant — or falling — energy demand. That means they are replacing energy systems, which is a less-attractive investment than one driven by growth.
Of course, coal is the elephant in the room. China’s coal consumption is still increasing — in 2022, it burned more of the carbon-intensive fuel than ever, and two new plants were getting permitted every week. Ironically, this fossil-fuel dependence is another factor making it easier for China than, say, the United States to scale up renewables quickly. China deploys dirty power to balance the intermittency of solar and wind. That means fewer batteries and lower costs.
This year alone, China could add more solar power than the cumulative total in place in the United States. Last year, the increase in China’s solar and wind power nearly matched the amount of electricity used in many of the world’s major economies, including South Africa, Australia and Spain.
Catherine Rampell: Renewables are saving Texas. Again. So give them their due.
This dizzying pace means China’s carbon dioxide emissions will peak years ahead of its 2030 target. And where one global power leads, others are compelled to follow.
After several years of rapid installation, China’s solar and wind output is big. Its total solar and wind power generation — not the annual increase — in 2022 was more than twice the electricity use of Canada, and far more than what Brazil, Japan or Russia consumes. This year, its solar and wind output could get close to the total power output of India.
China’s combination of economic clout, centralized power and rising energy demand put it in a unique position. No other nation is rolling out renewables nearly this fast. Many low- and middle-income countries need more energy but lack the cash to build. Rich countries have cash but stagnant — or falling — energy demand. That means they are replacing energy systems, which is a less-attractive investment than one driven by growth.
Of course, coal is the elephant in the room. China’s coal consumption is still increasing — in 2022, it burned more of the carbon-intensive fuel than ever, and two new plants were getting permitted every week. Ironically, this fossil-fuel dependence is another factor making it easier for China than, say, the United States to scale up renewables quickly. China deploys dirty power to balance the intermittency of solar and wind. That means fewer batteries and lower costs.
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