background imageThe Washington Post; iStock

How China came to dominate the world in renewable energy

author image

By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: China has emerged as the global leader in renewable energy, surpassing all other nations in green technologies
• Over the past 15 years, China has rapidly expanded its installations of wind and solar power, a transformation fueled by entrepreneurial ventures and substantial government subsidies

🔭 The context: In 2017, China overtook the European Union in solar energy capacity with 130 gigawatts installed
• By 2023, China added an additional 200 gigawatts, while the United States reached 130 gigawatts that same year
• Similarly, China's wind power capacity reached 450 gigawatts in 2023, doubling that of the EU

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: China's dominance in renewable energy technologies positions it at the forefront of the global shift towards sustainable energy sources 
• This leadership plays a crucial role in global efforts to combat climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels (See sustainability performance of companies like Enapter AG and Vestas)

⏭️ What's next: China's continued investment in renewable energy is expected to widen the gap between itself and other nations
• As countries like the United States focus on fossil fuel production, China's advancements may influence global energy markets and policies

💬 One quote: "It is difficult to overstate China’s singular lead across clean energy technologies. The gaps are both enormous and historically unprecedented," - Milo McBride, fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

📈 One stat: China invested nearly $680 billion in clean tech manufacturing in 2024, almost as much as the U.S. and E.U. combined

See here detailed sustainability performance of renewable energy companies like Enapter AG and Vestas

Click for more news covering the latest on renewable energy

Did you enjoy this illuminem voice? Support us by sharing this article!
author photo

About the author

illuminem's editorial team - providing you with concise summaries of the most important sustainability news of the day.

Follow us on Linkedin, Twitter​ & Instagram

Other illuminem Voices


Related Posts


You cannot miss it!

Weekly. Free. Your Top 10 Sustainability & Energy Posts.

You can unsubscribe at any time (read our privacy policy)