Power production in China 2011-2024, by source

China generated approximately 444 terawatt hours of electricity using nuclear power in 2024. Although thermal energy sources such as coal remain the largest contributor to China's energy mix, the use of non-fossil sources notably increased in the past few years. 

Renewable energy in China

In the last two decades, China has raised the capacity and hence the generation volume of electricity from all sources in order to meet ever-growing energy demand. Most of this growth came from thermal sources, nevertheless, renewable energy consumption in China has increased more than tenfold since the early 2000s. In 2024, clean electricity sources accounted for a third of power. This may be evidenced by the significant growth rate of renewable capacity.

China's role in the global renewable energy industry

In 2021, China's government announced that it was striving towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Already, China has become one of the leading players in the renewable energy arena, housing multiple major manufacturers. In fact, China accounts for nearly 86 percent of solar PV module production worldwide.