Electricity in People's Republic of China in 2023

The People's Republic of China, as of 2023, primarily depends on fossil fuels for electricity generation, accounting for more than 60% of the total. Coal is the leading source of these fossil fuels and produces 60% of the electricity. However, a significant, yet lesser proportion of electricity comes from low-carbon sources which collectively contribute to slightly more than a third of the total electricity in China. This low-carbon mix consists of hydropower as the headliner with 14%, followed by wind and solar energy, which respectively make up almost 11% and nearly 6% of the total, and finally, nuclear energy contributing to only 4.5% of total power production.

Suggestions

Given the current situation, there is much room for China to expand its low-carbon electricity generation, particularly focusing on wind energy which already provides a substantial share of power. By allocating more resources and implementing policy incentives, they can stimulate the expansion of their wind energy sector. There's a lot to learn from countries such as Denmark, Germany, and Uruguay where wind energy accounts for approximately 59%, 30%, and 40% respectively of their total electricity output. Furthermore, China could shift to producing higher percentage of power from nuclear sources in the long run, emulating the successful models of France and Slovakia, where over 60% of electricity comes from nuclear power.

History

Looking at the past, it's clear the People's Republic of China has come a long way in the low-carbon energy sector. Their journey began in the early 2000s with untouchable domination by hydroelectric power, which saw consistent growth up to 2014. Following this, a substantial slowdown marked the mid 2010s, setting the stage for the rise of wind and solar energies. Come 2017, wind and solar started to make significant strides, with a notable spike in wind power in 2021 adding an impressive 189.3 TWh when compared to the previous year. Since then, growth in both wind and solar has been robust and sustained. However, 2023 saw a sharp decline in hydropower, likely a result of shifts in other low carbon energies or policy changes. Despite this, the overall trend in China's clean energy history leans towards increased commitment and progression towards a greener future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources