In 2024, electricity consumption in the People's Republic of China predominantly relies on a mix of fossil and low-carbon sources. More than half of the electricity is generated from fossil fuels, with coal being the most significant contributor at just over 58%. Low-carbon energy sources account for almost 40% of electricity production. Hydropower, wind, and solar energize almost a third of China's grid collectively, with hydropower alone providing around 13%. Solar energy has seen noteworthy growth, supplying about 8%, while wind contributes close to 10%. Nuclear power is a solid contributor too, responsible for around 4% of the electricity, underscoring China’s significant, though still expanding, reliance on low-carbon energy to meet its vast electricity needs.
Is Electricity Growing in People's Republic of China?
Electricity consumption in China is on a promising upward trajectory. The latest data for 2024 marks a significant rise in electricity use to 7083 kWh per person, an increase of over 400 kWh compared to the previous record in 2023. This growth appears to be mirroring the nation's parallel surge in clean energy generation, which also impressively increased by 356 kWh per person from the previous year, reaching 2696 kWh per person in 2024. This indicates a successful expansion in low-carbon energy efforts as part of China’s broader strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, making clean energy a greater share of its total electricity consumption.
Suggestions
China can draw insightful lessons from other successful countries to further elevate its low-carbon electricity generation. France stands as a stellar example with a hefty 68% of electricity being sourced from nuclear power, showcasing how nuclear can serve as a backbone for clean energy transition, especially given its efficiency and reliability. Similarly, Denmark exemplifies the potential of wind power, which supplies 52% of its electricity. With robust innovations and strategic partnerships, China can stimulate further investments into nuclear infrastructures as well as solar and wind sectors. These areas promise efficient and sustainable solutions for large-scale electricity demands, further promoting China's commitment to clean and green energy.
History
Historically, the development of low-carbon electricity in China has been predominantly driven by hydropower during the early 21st century, with substantial increases between 2004 and 2014, peaking with additions over 100 TWh in several years. However, the growth has diversified since 2015 with wind and solar power experiencing meteoric rises, especially notable from 2017 onward. In 2021, wind power alone saw an impressive increase of nearly 190 TWh, and solar surged in 2023 with an addition of nearly 157 TWh. More recently, in 2024, solar energy saw the largest annual jump to date, marking an addition of 250 TWh. Despite a slight setback in hydroelectricity in 2023, the momentum has been regained in 2024, demonstrating China's robust ongoing investment and innovation in its clean electricity sector. This trajectory highlights the nation's ambitious vision for a sustainable energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.