Over the past 12 months, from October 2024 to September 2025, the electricity consumption landscape in the People's Republic of China showcases a significant leaning towards fossil fuels. Fossil energy sources, notably coal, dominate the electricity mix, providing more than half of the electricity, with coal alone accounting for 55.41%. However, there is a remarkable emphasis on low-carbon energy sources, which constitute 41.62% of electricity generation, encompassing hydropower (13.62%), solar (10.76%), wind (10.5%), and nuclear energy (4.57%). Despite the considerable presence of fossil fuels, the substantial share of clean energy demonstrates China's ongoing efforts to transition to a greener electricity profile.
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?
The question of whether electricity consumption is growing in China can be answered affirmatively. In the latest year, the average electricity consumption reached 7305 kWh per person, up from the previous record of 7050 kWh in 2024. This represents an increase of 255 kWh per person, highlighting a growing trend in electricity usage. This upward trajectory is particularly pronounced in clean electricity generation. The latest figures show per person low-carbon electricity generation at 3040 kWh, a significant increase of 300 kWh from the previous record of 2741 kWh. This progress reflects not only increased consumption but more importantly, a growing commitment to low-carbon sources, a promising sign for sustainable electricity growth.
Suggestions
To further boost low-carbon electricity generation in China, focusing on expanding existing technologies like wind and solar makes strategic sense. Both of these sources are already contributing considerable amounts of electricity. Additionally, taking cues from successful regions could be invaluable. The experience of states like Iowa and Denmark that generate close to 60% of their electricity from wind energy, or France, where nuclear energy produces about 68% of electricity, highlights pathways China could emulate. This approach could position China as a leader in low-carbon electricity generation by leveraging both solar and nuclear energy effectively. Such a shift would not only reduce reliance on fossil fuels but also mitigate climate change effects and air pollution concerns.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in China over the past few decades, several significant trends emerge. In the early 2000s, there was notable growth in hydropower, with significant increases in years like 2004 and 2008. However, hydropower saw some fluctuations in the mid-2010s before rebounding strongly in 2024. Reflecting on recent years, both solar and wind energies have seen impressive growth, particularly in 2023 and 2024. Solar power, in particular, has accelerated dramatically, posting a remarkable increase from 2022 to 2025. Wind power has also seen significant gains, especially evident in 2021, 2022, and 2024. This robust growth in clean energy sources augurs well for China's future electricity supply landscape, ensuring a low-carbon transition aligns with environmental goals and energy security.
