China is now consuming over 90% of the renewable power it generates, according to a press conference held today by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
Source: China Economic Net
China is now consuming over 90% of the renewable power it generates, according to a press conference held today by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). “China has made solid progress in integrating renewable energy,” said NDRC spokesperson Li Chao.
As of the end of May 2025, installed wind and solar capacity reached 570 GW and 1.08 TW, respectively—together accounting for 45.7% of the nation’s total power capacity and surpassing coal for the first time. To further improve renewable energy integration, the NDRC has introduced a set of coordinated measures focused on three key areas:
1. Balancing long-distance transmission with local consumption
China is accelerating the development of large-scale wind and solar bases in desert and arid regions, leveraging strong natural resources and building interprovincial transmission links to deliver clean power nationwide.
At the same time, efforts are underway to boost local consumption. A new policy issued by the NDRC and National Energy Administration supports direct green power supply to end-users, allowing some renewable projects to bypass the public grid. This helps increase local consumption and opens new opportunities for high-energy-consuming industries, exporters, and renewable developers.
2. Expanding grid capacity and flexibility
Grid upgrades, power transmission lines, and flexible backup capacity are being developed in parallel to support higher shares of renewables.
So far, China has put 43 ultra-high-voltage (UHV) transmission lines into operation, with more—including the Ningxia-Hunan corridor—slated for launch this year. New-type energy storage capacity has surpassed 80 GW. As renewables are integrated into the electricity market, storage systems are expected to gain more commercial viability through participation in the spot market.
3. Aligning energy supply with demand-side flexibility
China is tapping into its abundant flexible demand-side resources by improving long-term demand response mechanisms. More resources are being aggregated through virtual power plants to support renewable load balancing.
Meanwhile, the country continues to expand its EV charging infrastructure, which now exceeds 14 million units. By promoting orderly charging, the system helps absorb more renewable power into the grid.
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