In the first half of 2025, China significantly increased its renewable energy capacity, adding 268 gigawatts (GW) of wind, solar, and hydropower. This expansion raised the country’s total renewable capacity to nearly 1,900 GW. This impressive growth aligns with global trends, as highlighted by reports of a 597 GW increase in global solar capacity in 2024 (PVKnowhow).
According to China’s National Energy Administration (NEA), the new installations between January and June 2025 included 98 GW of solar, 45 GW of wind, and 125 GW of hydropower. Earlier reports indicated even higher solar installations, with 105.03 GW added in just the first four months of 2025 (PVKnowhow). By the end of June, the total installed capacity for solar had reached 666 GW, wind power stood at 716 GW, and hydropower had grown to 511 GW.
Over the same period, China’s total installed power generation capacity increased by 4.2% to 2,970 GW, according to the NEA.
China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced that coal-fired power generation output fell in 2024, marking a decline for the first time since 2017, while solar and wind generation increased by 14% and 7%, respectively.
China Renewable Energy Growth Goals
The Chinese government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy development as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. According to the 14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development released by the National Energy Administration (NEA), China aims to achieve the following goals by 2025:
- Increase the total installed capacity of renewable energy to 1,200 GW, accounting for 50% of the country’s total power generation capacity.
- Increase the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption to 25%.
- Increase the share of non-fossil fuels in the energy mix to 20%.
- Reduce the share of coal in the energy mix to 50%.
- Develop offshore wind farms with a total capacity of 50 GW.
- Expand the use of biomass energy, including biogas and biofuels.
- Increase the use of geothermal energy for heating and other applications.
- Develop new energy storage technologies to support the integration of renewable energy into the power grid.
China’s renewable energy goals are part of the country’s broader efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The government has also pledged to peak carbon emissions by 2030.
Fueling China Renewable Energy Growth: Investment
China’s rapid growth in renewable energy is being driven by significant investments in the sector. According to the International Energy Agency, China invested $546 billion in renewable energy in 2024, accounting for half of the global total. This trend is likely to continue in 2025, with China expected to maintain its leadership in renewable energy investment. Forecasts from May 2025 suggested even higher numbers, with projections of 255 GW of new PV installations in 2025 alone (PVKnowhow).
The increase in wind power capacity in the first half of 2025 is particularly noteworthy, as it represents a 50% rise compared to the same period in 2024. Offshore wind installations, in particular, are expected to grow significantly as China seeks to diversify its energy mix and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Hydropower continues to play a crucial role in China’s renewable energy landscape, with the country maintaining its position as the world’s largest hydropower producer. The addition of 125 GW of hydropower capacity in the first half of 2025 reflects ongoing efforts to optimize water resources and enhance energy security.
