In 2025, electricity consumption in the People's Republic of China displays a mixed reliance on both fossil and low-carbon energy sources. More than half of the nation's electricity, approximately 58%, is generated from fossil fuels. The lion's share of this comes from coal, which accounts for just under 55%, while gas provides a small additional contribution with nearly 3%. On the low-carbon side, nearly 42% of China's electricity is derived from green energy. Hydropower leads this group, making up close to 14% of the total electricity generation, followed by solar power, which contributes over 11%, and wind power, closely trailing with nearly 11%. Solar has a significant presence, being split almost equally between behind-the-meter (BTM) installations and utility-scale projects. Nuclear energy plays a critical role too, supplying nearly 5% of China's clean electricity. Notably, biofuels add a modest 2% to the low-carbon mix, contributing to China's ongoing shift toward sustainable electricity generation.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, IEA and NBS and NEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in People's Republic of China?
China's electricity consumption is on the rise, reflecting a growing demand for power across the nation. In 2025, the country's total electricity usage climbed to 7401 kWh per person, marking an increase of 351 kWh per person compared to the previous record set in 2024. This robust growth is mirrored in the expansion of low-carbon electricity generation, which reached 3137 kWh per person in 2025, up by 396 kWh from the earlier record. This increase underscores China's commitment to boosting clean energy sources and reducing its carbon footprint, highlighting the country's potential to become a leader in low-carbon electricity generation. The rise in electricity consumption is a positive step towards meeting the future demand that electrification and technological advances, such as AI, will certainly bring.
Suggestions
To further boost its low-carbon electricity generation, China should continue expanding its wind and solar capacities, as they already form a significant portion of the energy mix. Looking at successful regions, there are clear lessons to be learned. Countries like Denmark and states like Iowa have demonstrated that substantial parts of electricity can rely on wind power, generating over 50% from this low-carbon source. Nuclear energy presents another opportunity for China to diversify its clean energy portfolio, with countries like France and Slovakia leading by generating more than 60% of their electricity from nuclear power. By investing in these areas, China could substantially enhance its clean energy generation, thereby reducing its dependency on fossil fuels and decreasing the negative impacts associated with greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in China has been marked by significant advancements, particularly in the realm of hydropower and wind energy. During the early 2000s and into the 2010s, hydropower underwent substantial growth, peaking in several years like 2014 with a vital increase of 144 TWh. The mid to late 2010s and early 2020s witnessed wind energy beginning to make a strong impact, with outstanding growth seen in 2021, where wind power surged by nearly 188 TWh. Similarly, solar energy has seen a considerable upward trend, particularly notable in recent years like 2023, which experienced a record rise of 155 TWh. These developments underline China's dedication to a sustainable future, paralleled by some fluctuations in hydropower. Nevertheless, continuous support for wind, solar, and a closer look at nuclear potential will be crucial for sustaining this upward trajectory in clean electricity generation.
