Look at these two quick points from IAEA:
Now, let's jump into today's article about China's plan to cut pollution, increase renewables, production of parts (batteries etc), as well as become energy independent. They have a strong start but they didn't actually commission their first plant until 1991. Let's get into it.
1. Introduction
2. Leading in Renewable Energy
3. Energy Independence Through Nuclear Growth
4. Jobs and Technology Growth
5. Outpacing the West
6. Conclusion
7. References
I recently reviewed the DNV Energy Outlook for China, which outlines an ambitious and logical plan for the country’s energy independence. China is already responsible for 33% of the world’s energy-related CO2 emissions, but by 2050, this will reduce to 22%. That's three times the size of Europe’s decarbonization over the same period. China’s shift towards clean energy is leaving the rest of the world far behind.
China’s power mix is shifting dramatically. Today, about 30% of China’s energy comes from renewables, but by 2050, this will rise to a massive 88%. Solar power, which currently generates 5% of China’s electricity, will expand to 38% by 2050. This rapid growth will help China solidify its position as the global leader in green energy. China is unrivaled build-out and export of renewable technologies as of 2024.
In addition to renewables, China is doubling down on nuclear energy. Today, the country has 56 nuclear power reactors generating electricity, with 28 more under construction. China’s rise in nuclear power is remarkable, having gone from 1% nuclear energy in 1999 to 5% after 2020. By 2035, China’s nuclear and renewable energy capacity will far outpace that of the USA and other Western nations. Natural gas is looking to peak in 2030, but China is still saddled with it's transition from coal and fossil-fuels. It's an ambitious plan and they have the resources to pull it off.
China’s clean energy transition isn’t just about reducing emissions. It’s also about creating new jobs and fostering technological innovation. As the country continues to lead in renewable energy and expand its nuclear capacity, industries like manufacturing, energy storage, and AI-driven energy efficiency are booming. This means China is set to become not just an energy leader but a key player in the global job market for green technologies.
China is not only ahead in renewables, but it is also outpacing the USA and the world in nuclear energy development. With its fast growth, China will be a global energy leader by 2035. Right now, the USA would need at least 10 years to catch up at the current build rate. This dominance in clean energy will have a significant impact on global outcomes, such as which country becomes the leader in quantum computing or which one has the largest economy.
China’s efforts to cut CO2 emissions, expand renewable and nuclear energy, and create jobs in green technology are reshaping the global energy landscape. As China rapidly transitions to clean energy, it is leaving behind the rest of the world, which is still grappling with its reliance on fossil fuels. By 2050, China will be the world’s green energy leader, shaping global trends in sustainability and economic growth for decades to come.
Follow and connect with me for more articles from Powering The Future, as I write about Clean Energy and the new global energy transition that's going to enable job growth.
-Joe Sintra
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). (2024). PRIS country statistics: China. Retrieved from [https://pris.iaea.org/PRIS/CountryStatistics/CountryDetails.aspx?current=CN](https://pris.iaea.org/PRIS/CountryStatistics/CountryDetails.aspx?current=CN)
- DNV. (2024). China energy transition outlook. Retrieved from [https://www.dnv.com/news/china-energy-transition-outlook](https://www.dnv.com/news/china-energy-transition-outlook)
- International Energy Agency (IEA). (2024). World energy investment 2024: China. Retrieved from [https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-investment-2024/china](https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-investment-2024/china)