China’s Clean-Energy Revolution Will Reshape Markets and Politics
The scale of China's renewable energy transformation is almost beyond comprehension. By the close of last year, the nation had installed around 887 gigawatts of solar-power capacity—nearly twice the combined capacity of Europe and the United States.
In 2024 alone, China used about 22 million tonnes of steel to build new solar panels and wind turbines. That amount would be sufficient to construct a structure the size of the Golden Gate Bridge every working day of the year.
The country also generated 1,826 terawatt-hours of electricity from wind and solar sources in 2024—five times the total energy stored in its 600 nuclear weapons.
“The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising.”
This shift shows how industrial ambition and environmental policy in China are merging to influence global energy markets and geopolitical strategies.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “China’s global power play.”
Author’s Summary
China’s massive renewable energy expansion demonstrates its dual aim to dominate clean technology markets and steer the global transition toward decarbonisation.
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