Wind and Solar Power Capacity to Surpass Coal for First Time in China

What’s new: China’s cumulative installed capacity of wind and solar energy is expected to surpass coal for the first time this year, according to the China Electricity Council (CEC).

The country will have around 1,300 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar capacity connected to the grid by the end of 2024, the CEC projected in a report published Tuesday.

Solar is expected to contribute about 780 GW of capacity and wind 530 GW, together accounting for about 40% of total installed capacity by the end of the year, according to the CEC. By comparison, coal power is estimated to fall to 37% of the total from 39.9% in 2023, the report said.