A recent report by U.S.-based think tank Global Energy Monitor revealed that China is currently building nearly two-thirds of the world’s wind and solar power projects. These new facilities are expected to produce twice as much energy as all other countries combined, which is enough to power around 250 million homes.
“All told, 2023 saw unprecedented wind and solar growth in China,” the report said. “The unabated wave of construction guarantees that China will continue leading in wind and solar installation in the near future, far ahead of the rest of the world.”
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As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China’s shift towards cleaner energy sources could signal a peak in its emissions output. In May, China generated 53% of its electricity from coal, marking a record low. On the other side, 44% came from non-fossil fuel sources, a record high.
“If current rapid wind and solar deployment continues, then China’s CO2 output is likely to continue falling, making 2023 the peak year for the country’s emissions,” Lauri Myllyvirta, a senior fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute, wrote.
Experts anticipate that this rapid increase of renewable power could allow China’s carbon footprint to continue to shrink, even as the country’s demand for electricity grows. This presents a stark contrast to the United States, which is still grappling with the challenge of reducing emissions while meeting increasing energy needs.
[JACK AYLMER]
JUST LIKE MOST OF THE WORLD’S PRODUCTS, THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL ENERGY WILL PROBABLY BE MADE IN CHINA.
BEIJING IS CURRENTLY BUILDING OUT ALMOST TWO THIRDS OF GLOBAL WIND AND SOLAR POWER PROJECTS.
AND THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY THESE FACILITIES ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE IS TWICE WHAT EVERY OTHER COUNTRY GENERATES TOGETHER.
THAT’S ACCORDING TO A RECENT REPORT BY U.S.-BASED THINK TANK GLOBAL ENERGY MONITOR.
THEY SAY CHINA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ENOUGH RENEWABLE POWER FOR AT LEAST 250 MILLION HOMES.
THAT AMOUNT OF ENERGY IS OVER EIGHT TIMES MORE THAN WHAT THE U.S. CURRENTLY HAS IN THE WORKS.
THIS SURGE IN POWER FROM WIND AND SOLAR COULD MEAN CHINA- THE NUMBER ONE COUNTRY IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF GREENHOUSE GAS PRODUCTION- HAS ALREADY SEEN ITS EMISSIONS OUTPUT PEAK.
CHINA GENERATED JUST OVER HALF ITS ELECTRICITY FROM COAL IN MAY, A RECORD LOW.
MEANWHILE, 44 PERCENT OF ITS POWER CAME FROM NON-FOSSIL FUEL SOURCES, A RECORD HIGH.
OFFICIALS AT THE ASIA SOCIETY POLICY INSTITUTE EXPECT CHINA’S CARBON FOOTPRINT TO CONTINUE SHRINKING-
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE COUNTRY’S ELECTRIC DEMANDS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE COMING YEARS.
LOWERING EMISSIONS OUTPUT WHILE ALSO SUPPLYING ENOUGH ENERGY FOR THE EXPECTED UPTICK IN DEMAND FROM NEW AGE TECHNOLOGIES IS A PROBLEM THE U.S. IS STILL TRYING TO SOLVE FOR.
AND IT SEEMS CHINA MIGHT HAVE JUST FIGURED IT OUT FIRST.
JACK AYLMER – STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.
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