Archive · 22 Jan 2026
China's Clean-Energy Revolution Reshapes Global Markets
China is building a lot of clean energy like solar and wind power.
It has so much that it's changing the world's energy situation.
China is making and using more clean energy than any other country, and it's getting cheaper all the time.
This helps China and other countries reduce pollution and fight climate change.
China is also selling its clean energy technology to other countries, especially developing ones.
Some people worry about China's control over these technologies and its slow move away from coal.
But overall, China's clean energy efforts could help make the world cleaner and improve lives in many countries.
China has installed 887 gigawatts of solar-power capacity, nearly double Europe and America's combined total.
China generated 1,826 terawatt-hours of wind and solar electricity in 2024, five times the energy of all its nuclear weapons.
China is exporting its clean-energy technology, making more money from it than America does from fossil fuels.
China's clean-energy revolution is helping it exceed its climate pledges and is crucial for developing countries' climate efforts.
Concerns exist about China's continued use of coal and its control over critical minerals and technologies.
- Who
- China
- What
- Rapid expansion of clean-energy infrastructure and exports
- When
- Ongoing, with significant developments in 2024 and targets set for 2035
- Where
- Primarily in China, with global exports and influence
- Why
- To meet domestic energy demands, reduce emissions, and export clean technology
- Solar-power capacity
- 887 gigawatts
- Wind and solar electricity generated in 2024
- 1,826 terawatt-hours
- Renewable-energy capacity produced annually
- Almost 1 terawatt
- China's share of global electricity generation
- One-third
- China's renewable-energy capacity target by 2035
- More than double current capacity
- China's emissions cut target by 2035
- Modest but quantified cut
- China's earnings from green technology exports
- More than America's from fossil fuels