China, the greatest renewable energy generator, faces a decision. Solar and wind power generate 1,200 GW, but poor energy storage systems waste much of it. China invests the most in renewable energy but is the world’s biggest polluter, with 65% of its power grid running on coal.
By mid-2024, the nation will have added 25 GW of solar and wind power. It gets 14% of its electricity from renewable sources. The lack of large-scale energy storage facilities prevents most renewable energy from being used. Current storage systems have 44 GW of capacity, leaving much of China’s renewable potential unused.
China’s decarbonization strategy runs until 2060 but is under pressure to fulfil international commitments by 2035. New provincial regulations require renewable energy projects to install storage devices, a crucial step towards energy efficiency. China’s National Energy Administration predicts PV capacity will overtake coal by 2026.
China may become a sustainable energy leader as it creates infrastructure to store and distribute renewable energy. We just need to uncover the possibilities.
Image Credits: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/numbers-behind-chinas-renewable-energy-boom-2023-11-15/
