German media: China leads the world in renewable energy development
The website of German newspaper Young Die Welt recently published an article titled "China ranks first in the use of renewable energy in the world". The full text is compiled as follows:
Five years ago, the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington published an article titled "The East Is Green" about "China's global renewable energy leadership." The US think tank noted that China was already "the world's largest producer of wind and solar electricity".
Moreover, China has invested more in the use of renewable energy than any other country. Everything suggests that this will continue and that China will continue to be the undisputed number one when it comes to energy transition.
Five years later, the current turmoil in global energy markets gives us reason to revisit the CSIS forecast. The current data show that China is indeed still the world leader when it comes to renewable energy.
According to the International Energy Agency, China accounted for 46 percent of global renewable energy growth in 2021. China added 13.4 gigawatts of capacity in 2021. This is significantly higher than the EU (47 GW) and the US (36.2 GW).
The IEA forecasts that China will account for 45 percent of the global growth in energy generation from renewable sources in 2022 and 2023.
Strong growth is also needed if China is to meet its target of at least 1,200 gigawatts of wind and solar power capacity by 2030. This year alone, solar power systems with a capacity of about 108 gigawatts will be built, about double that of 2021 (54.88 gigawatts).
Germany's activity pales in comparison: the country increased the capacity of its solar systems by 5 gigawatts last year to 58 gigawatts, according to the IEA. If you add wind capacity, Germany currently has 122 gigawatts a year; China's figure is 635 gigawatts. At the current rate of growth, China could reach the target of 1,200 gigawatts by 2030.
In addition, it is worth noting that China is also a leader in the production of systems that use renewable energy.
About two-thirds of the solar cells in use globally now come from China. As an important intermediate product, China accounts for about 95 percent of the world market for solar wafers. Seven of the world's top 10 solar panel manufacturers are based in China, including the top three. In addition, seven of the world's top 10 wind turbine manufacturers are Chinese.
