Renewable Energy Initiatives in the China

Renewable Energy Initiatives in China: China leads the world in renewable energy, making more electricity from sources like wind and sun. Their goal is to use mostly clean energy by 2060. Over 1,000 gigawatts of China’s power comes from renewables like solar and wind. They are working to reduce pollution and carbon emissions.

China invests a lot in renewable energy technology and is a top producer of solar panels and wind turbines. By 2030, they aim to have even more solar and wind power. China is serious about fighting climate change and wants to be a global leader in clean energy.

In this article, we will discuss Renewable Energy Initiatives in China. Let’s start.

Renewable Energy Sources in China

1. Hydropower

China has a large number of hydropower plants, making it the world’s largest producer of hydroelectricity. Hydropower accounts for a significant portion of China’s renewable energy capacity. As of 2020, China had over 150 dams with a capacity of more than 300 megawatts, totaling 369 gigawatts in installed capacity.

By 2021, China was operating four of the world’s six largest dams, including the largest, Three Gorges Dam, with a capacity of 22.5 gigawatts, and the second largest, Baihetan Dam.

2. Wind Power

China has the world’s largest wind resources, with three-quarters of it found at sea. By 2020, China aimed to have 210 GW of wind power capacity, but surpassed this, reaching 276 GW of onshore wind power. Foreign companies, especially from the United States, are encouraged to invest in Chinese wind power generation. However the use of wind energy in China hasn’t kept pace with its impressive construction of wind power capacity.

In 2008, China ranked fourth in wind power production after the US, Germany, and Spain, with 12.2 GW of electricity generating capacity. China’s wind industry remained strong during the global financial crisis, producing turbine sizes of 1.5 MW and 2 MW.

By 2009, China’s installed wind power capacity rose to 26 GW, identified as a key growth component of its economy. China became the world’s largest maker of wind turbines by 2010, surpassing Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the US.

In 2020, China deployed 71.7 GW of wind energy capacity, a 60% increase compared to 2019, and in 2022, it plans to install an additional 56 GW of wind turbines, mostly from onshore wind.

3. Solar Power

China produces 63% of the world’s solar panels and is the largest manufacturer globally. Initiatives like the Golden Sun incentive scheme, introduced in 2009, have led to significant advancements in solar technology. Efforts like the Henan province’s thin film solar plant and projects by companies like LDK and First Solar are driving solar energy use.

China pledged to derive 15% of its energy from renewables within a decade at the UN climate summit in 2009. China’s solar industry has grown rapidly, with six major solar companies valued at over $15 billion. In 2022, China plans to install over 100 GW of solar panels, and its solar exports grew by 64% in that year, with Europe being the main destination. Solar power in China has become cheaper than coal-fired power, making it a viable alternative.

4. Biomass and Biofuel

China became the world’s third-largest producer of ethanol-based biofuels by the end of 2005, following the U.S. and Brazil. Currently, ethanol makes up 20% of China’s total automotive fuel consumption. During the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010), China aimed to develop six megatons per year of fuel ethanol capacity, projected to increase to 15 megatons per year by 2020. While experts suggest there’s no threat to food security, rising crude oil prices could lead more farmers to cultivate crops for fuel production. Concerns have been raised about potential competition between biofuels and food production, impacting crop prices globally.

One notable project is the Kaiyou Green Energy Biomass Power Generating project in Jiangsu’s Suqian City Economic Development Zone, costing ¥250 million. This initiative will produce 144 GWh/year (equivalent to 16.5 MW) using 200 kilotonnes/year of crop waste.

At the domestic level, China utilizes bioenergy through biomass stoves and by generating biogas from animal manure. As of at least 2023, China leads globally in both production and consumption of household biogas, with over 30 million rural households utilizing biogas digesters.

5. Geothermal

China has a lot of hot water under the ground that can make electricity. They found over 2,700 hot springs with very hot water, some hotter than 250°C. In 1990, China was the second biggest user of this hot water for making power. Since the 1970s, they’ve been looking for places with really hot water to make electricity. By 2006, they found 181 places with hot water that could make 1,740 megawatts of electricity. But, they only built seven power plants by then, making 32 megawatts of electricity in total.

List of Renewable Energy Initiatives in China

Here are some renewable energy initiatives in China:

1. Wind Power: Offshore wind turbines, research base

In July, a 16-megawatt wind turbine started working off the coast of Fujian Province, China. It has a big impeller and can make a lot of electricity, enough for 36,000 families in a year. It can save coal and reduce carbon dioxide. In September it set a record for making the most electricity in one day. Then, in November, a bigger wind turbine, 18 megawatts, was made in the same place. It can make even more electricity, enough for 40,000 families. It also helps save coal and reduce carbon dioxide.

China is making a big research center for offshore wind power in Fujian City. It will test new wind turbines and make new technology. This center will start working in 2024 and will help make better wind turbines. It will also help other countries learn about wind power.

Location	Fujian City
Offshore Wind Turbines	China has installed offshore wind turbines with capacities ranging from 16 to 18 MW.
Research Base	China is constructing its first national offshore wind power research and test base.

2. Hydropower: Lijiaxia station, 1,800 km clean energy corridor

In October, China started using the Lijiaxia Hydropower Station in Qinghai Province. It is the world’s biggest double-row turbine setup, making two million kilowatts of power. This station makes about 5.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. It’s special because it’s the first time China’s used this kind of turbine setup.

The Lijiaxia station helps keep wind and solar power steady. It turns new energy into safe and good-quality electricity. By September, it had made 142.482 billion kilowatt-hours of power. That’s like saving 42.7446 million tonnes of coal and stopping 113,9856 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from going into the air. This helps the Yellow River Basin’s economy and environment.

China also has a big clean energy path, finished in December last year. It is 1,800 kilometers long and has six giant hydropower stations along the Yangtze River. These stations have 110 turbines and make 71.695 million kilowatts of power. They produce about 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.

In the past year, these stations made more than 270 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. That’s like saving over 81 million tonnes of coal and stopping over 220 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This power can cover the needs of 280 million people.

Besides making clean energy, the path also creates a 768-kilometer waterway, big reservoirs, and lots of freshwater. This helps with shipping, droughts, and keeping the environment healthy.

Location	Located in northwest China’s Qinghai Province, the Lijiaxia station has a full capacity of 2 million kilowatts (MW).
Clean Energy Corridor	The clean energy corridor spans 1,800 kilometers and includes six major hydropower stations on the Yangtze River.

3. Solar Power: PV power stations

In June, the Kela solar power station in China’s Sichuan Province started running. It is the world’s largest hydro-solar power station. It can make enough power for 700,000 homes in a year. That’s like saving 600,000 tons of coal and stopping 1.6 million tons of carbon dioxide. They used lots of solar panels and other equipment, enough to cover three big airports.

In July another big solar station, Huadian Tianjin Haijing, started in Tianjin. It can make 1,000 MW of power every year. It uses a mix of solar power, making salt, and growing things underwater. It can power 1.5 million homes and stop 1.25 million tons of carbon dioxide.

Recently, a solar project in Qinghai started. It can make 900 MW of power every year. It is in a big area on a plateau. It can make 2.1 billion kWh of power, like saving 640,000 tons of coal and stopping 1.74 million tons of carbon dioxide.

Location	Yajiang County, Sichuan Province, China, with an installed capacity of 1 million kilowatts (MW).
Capacity	It can generate an annual capacity of 2 billion kWh, sufficient for 700,000 households annually.

4. New Regulations for Photovoltaic Project Management: Station Development and Land Management

In recent years China’s solar energy industry has seen big changes. It has moved into a new phase where solar power is growing without financial support from the government. Instead of just focusing on size the country now plans and guides solar projects more carefully. Each area makes plans for how much solar power to build each year based on market demand. Now the focus is on making sure solar power can connect to the grid and be used effectively. There is more attention on making sure solar projects don’t harm the environment and follow safety rules.

To manage these changes, the National Energy Administration made new rules in December 2022. These rules let local authorities decide which solar projects to build. Projects that can connect to the grid easily are chosen through competition overseen by local authorities. Other projects follow national and local rules. These rules also say solar projects need to get a license to sell electricity within six months of connecting to the grid.

When it comes to finding land for big solar projects, it is a big challenge. So, the Ministry of Natural Resources, along with other agencies, made rules in March 2023. These rules classify different types of land for solar projects. They say which land can be used for solar panels and other facilities. They also explain what land can’t be used. For example, they say no farmland can be used for solar panels. They also say how to handle getting land for solar projects, like leasing it or buying it. These rules are important for anyone starting a new solar project to follow.

Management Measures for PV Stations	The National Energy Administration (NEA) announced revised measures in December 2022. These delegate authority to local energy authorities for determining project lists and construction plans.
Notice on Land Management for PV	Issued on March 20, 2023, by the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the NEA.

5. Integrated Development of Hydropower, Wind, and Solar Resources

To make sure there is always enough power, China is working on using water, wind, and sunlight together. Water power, especially is really important for this plan. They have made detailed plans for 13 big water power areas, like the Jinsha River and others. China is serious about building more water power stations and making the old ones better.

Besides water power, they are also bringing together wind and solar power. They’re doing things like connecting all these power sources to the same grid, building strong power lines, and making sure they can use more water power when there’s a lot of water. This big plan shows how China wants to make the most of its different kinds of renewable energy.

Hydropower	China outlines plans for 13 major hydropower bases, including the Jinsha River, Yalong River, Dadu River, Lancang River, Nu Rive and others.
Wind Power	Development of offshore wind turbines and research bases.
Solar Power	Establishment of photovoltaic (PV) power stations.

Conclusion

China is working hard to use more clean energy like solar and wind power. These initiatives help make the air cleaner and fight against climate change. They also create new jobs and make China more secure in its energy supply. As China keeps going with these efforts, it is helping the whole world become cleaner and better for everyone.

Related Links:

1. Conventional Energy Sources

2. Difference Between Renewable And Non-Renewable Resources

3. Important Challenges in the Renewable Energy Sector

4. Energy Conservation

FAQs on Renewable Energy Initiatives in the China

What is China doing regarding renewable energy?

According to data from the IEA, China plans to boost its renewable energy capacity by 2,060 gigawatts (GW) in the coming years. This is more than what the rest of the world combined aims to add, which is 1,574 GW. The European Union intends to increase its renewable energy capacity by 429 GW, while the United States plans to add 337 GW.

What is China’s strategy for the development of renewable energy?

The plan aims to make 50% more renewable energy (from 2.2 trillion kWh in 2020 to 3.3 trillion kWh in 2025). It wants renewable energy to make up 33% of all electricity used by 2025 (up from 28.8% in 2020). Also, it says that 50% of China’s new electricity and energy should come from renewable sources.

What is the best renewable energy source in China?

Solar Energy is the best renewable energy source in China.

Does China use solar panels?

China is the world leader in renewable energy, including 40 percent of the planet’s entire solar capacity.

What percentage of power in China is renewable?

China has a lot of renewable energy, with over 1.45 trillion watts, which is half of its total electricity capacity. Most of this comes from solar and wind power, which together make up 970 billion watts.