China's wind and solar electricity to exceed coal power in 2024

China's wind and solar power are expected to account for 40% of energy capacity this year, says the China Electricity Council.

Solar and wind power are estimated to reach 780mln kW and 530mln kW, respectively, by year end, finds the China Electricity Council (CEC).

Also by year end, the national trade association predicts a rise of 12% electricity capacity to 3.25bln kW, with non-fossil energy sources likely to reach 1.86bln kW - an increase of 57%.

Lin Boquiang, Head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University, says that the surge in renewable capacity necessitates a focus on grid optimisation and storage solutions.

China's power consumption is expected to reach 9.8trln kWh this year, an increase of 6%.

The CEC reports that this electricty demand growth is bolstered by residential and transport sectors, as well as the expansion of data centres.