China’s position as the global leader in renewable energy continues to solidify—with new data revealing the country accounts for nearly three-quarters of all wind and solar power projects currently under construction worldwide.
According to a recent report from Global Energy Monitor, China is actively building 510 GW of utility-scale wind and solar capacity. This represents 74% of the 689 GW of new global renewable energy infrastructure currently under development. Already home to the world’s largest installed wind and solar base, China is doubling down on energy diversification at a scale unmatched anywhere else.
Record-Breaking Growth in 2025
In May 2025 alone, China installed 93 GW of new solar capacity—the largest single-month increase in history. To put this in perspective, that one-month addition exceeds the entire 2024 solar installation total of any other individual country.
The pace isn’t slowing. Projections suggest that China could add 246.5 GW of solar capacity and 97.7 GW of wind capacity by the end of 2025. As of Q1 2025, the nation had already reached a staggering 1.5 terawatts (TW) of installed solar and wind capacity combined.
Global Energy Monitor noted in its report, “China continues to add solar and wind power at a record pace. It is leading the world in the global renewable energy build-out.”
A Shift in the Incentive Landscape
However, China’s energy transformation isn’t without challenges. The central government has begun tapering off subsidies for solar and onshore wind, arguing that these sectors are now mature enough to compete in open market conditions. While incentives haven’t been eliminated entirely, the phase-out marks a significant policy shift.
This is creating ripple effects across the sector. Developers are now under pressure to scale sustainably, relying less on state support and more on market-driven models. The shift is likely to sharpen focus on innovation, cost-efficiency, and grid integration.
A Dual-Track Energy Policy: Renewables + Coal
Despite the unprecedented growth in clean energy, China continues to develop new coal-fired power projects, highlighting the country’s pragmatic approach to energy security. While renewables dominate capacity expansion, coal remains critical to maintaining baseload stability—especially as demand surges in industrial and high-growth urban zones.
This dual-track strategy underscores a broader reality: even the world’s largest renewable energy market needs diversified generation sources to ensure grid resilience, economic continuity, and industrial competitiveness.
IMAGE: AP
