China has set a new benchmark in its transition to renewable energy, with wind and solar power sources generating 26% of the nation’s electricity in April 2025.
The achievement marks the highest monthly share to date, as reported by global energy think tank Ember.
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In April 2025, China’s renewable energy sector saw both wind and solar power reach individual record high contributions to the country’s electricity generation. Wind power was responsible for a 13.6% share, while solar power made up 12.4%.
The surge in solar energy has been particularly notable, with its share tripling from 4.1% in April 2020 to 12.4% in April 2025.
The acceleration of solar capacity installations has been a key driver behind this growth. In 2024, China’s new solar capacity exceeded the combined total of the rest of the world, with an increase from 103GW in 2022 to 333GW in 2024.
Momentum continued into the first quarter of 2025, with an addition of 72GW, up 18% from the same period in the previous year.
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By GlobalDataApril 2025 also saw China achieve a new record in absolute solar generation, reaching 96 terawatt hours (TWh) and surpassing the previous high of 89TWh recorded in August 2024. With the onset of summer, this record is expected to be broken yet again as solar output is further boosted.
The shift towards renewable energy is also evident in the changing landscape of China’s overall power generation mix. Fossil fuel generation declined by 72TWh, or 3.6%, year-on-year in the first four months of 2025, indicating a structural transformation in progress.
The significance of these developments is underscored by the context of climate urgency. With 2024 the hottest year on record and breaching the internationally agreed 1.5°C increase threshold, China’s energy transition is at a critical juncture.
Ember’s report suggests that while the country’s expansion of renewable capacity has laid the groundwork for clean electricity to meet future demand, further progress will depend on advancements in other areas such as smart grids, energy storage and the clean electrification of industry.
Ember Asia analyst Biqing Yang stated: “China has marked consistent milestones over the past year and into the beginning of this year, driven by record growth in renewables. For the first time, wind and solar are generating over a quarter of the country’s electricity. Yet challenges remain in managing the variability of renewables and accelerating decarbonisation across the end-use sectors. Continued power system reform efforts and institutional development are essential to sustain this momentum.”
China’s clean energy investments in 2024 reached 6.8tn yuan ($940bn), nearing the scale of the $1.12tn global investment in fossil fuels, according to a new analysis by UK-based Carbon Brief.
