China has witnessed a significant expansion in its power generation capacity, increasing by 14 percent year-on-year from January to July 2023, according to data released by the National Energy Administration on Friday.
By the end of July, the country's total installed power generation capacity reached approximately 3.1 billion kilowatts. This growth is largely driven by substantial advancements in renewable energy sources.
Solar power saw a remarkable increase, with cumulative capacity rising by 49.8 percent to reach 740 million kilowatts. Wind power also contributed to the growth, expanding by 19.8 percent compared to the same period last year.
Investment in the power sector remained robust, with major power enterprises in China investing a total of 415.8 billion yuan (about $58.27 billion) in power supply projects during the first seven months of the year, marking a 2.6-percent increase from the previous year.
Additionally, investments in power grid projects surged by 19.2 percent year-on-year, totaling 294.7 billion yuan. This influx of capital highlights China's commitment to enhancing its energy infrastructure.
Power consumption in the country also saw a notable rise, climbing 7.7 percent to nearly 5.6 trillion kilowatt-hours during the same period. This increase underscores the growing demand for energy driven by economic activities and development.
The ongoing investments and expansion in renewable energy capacities align with China's broader goals of sustainable development and reducing carbon emissions, positioning the nation as a leader in the global energy transition.
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China's installed power generation capacity up 14% from Jan. to July
cgtn.com
