By Cui Yan, People’s Daily
Traveling along China’s coastal highways today, one frequently encounters vast stretches of wind
farms, their towering turbines steadily spinning under the open sky – a striking emblem of the
country’s accelerating energy transition.
In the first quarter of this year, the country’s installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic power
reached 1.482 billion kilowatts, exceeding that of thermal power for the first time in history.
With the rapid expansion of renewable installations, wind and solar power are set to continue
leading China’s energy mix in the years ahead, reflecting a profound adjustment of the country’s
energy structure.
Once niche industries, China’s wind and solar sectors have grown into global frontrunners in both
innovation and manufacturing, progressing from reliance on foreign core technologies to
becoming the world’s largest exporter of wind and solar equipment.
Perseverance and practical action
China’s energy transition is above all a story of steady determination and pragmatic policymaking.
Over time, the country has pursued a carefully structured approach to advancing its energy
revolution. Central to this revolution is the development of a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient
energy system.
Step by step, China has implemented tangible measures: building pilot zones for photovoltaic
development and large-scale renewable energy bases, fostering rapid innovation through
demonstration projects, and refining regulatory frameworks for renewable energy pricing,
consumption guarantees, and market mechanisms. These sustained efforts have laid the
groundwork for renewables to become a new pillar of the country’s modern industrial system.
Innovation as driving force
At the core of this energy transformation lies a relentless pursuit of innovation. Technological
advancement has propelled China to the forefront of global renewable energy development, with
breakthroughs spanning materials, design, and technology.
The country has developed a 26-megawatt offshore wind turbine, the largest of its kind in the
world, with all 30,000 components produced domestically and key technologies leading the world.
It has also developed the longest wind turbine blades, supporting onshore turbines as tall as 60-
story skyscrapers. In photovoltaics, China’s all-perovskite tandem solar cells have achieved a
record-setting 28.2 percent photoelectric conversion efficiency. These accomplishments
underscore a broader ecosystem of innovation that continues to fuel progress in clean energy
technologies.
Global vision for sustainable development
China actively contributes its green development achievements to global progress.
Acknowledging energy security and climate change as shared global challenges, the country
accelerates its green, low-carbon transition while promoting sustainable development worldwide.
China has built the world’s largest and most complete new energy industrial chain and expanded
the global reach of its photovoltaic and wind power equipment. China has always prioritized
practical cooperation through technology transfer and supply chain integration, serving as a
committed advocate and contributor to global green and low-carbon development.
What China's wind, solar power surge means for world
