China has emerged as a leading force in renewable energy development, with its total installed capacity reaching 2.34 billion kilowatts, accounting for approximately 60 percent of the nation's overall power capacity. Nearly 40 percent of electricity consumption in China now originates from renewable sources, a significant milestone achieved during its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025). This rapid expansion is attributed to various factors, including institutional reforms, strategic infrastructure development, technological innovation, and supply chain efficiencies.
China’s renewable energy infrastructure features large-scale wind and solar installations, primarily located in desert and arid regions such as the Gobi Desert. These facilities are supported by ultra-high-voltage transmission networks, which enable efficient distribution of green electricity across vast distances. At the same time, China has established the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging network and is pioneering vehicle-to-grid technologies that leverage EVs to stabilize power grids.
The country has also developed a comprehensive new energy industry chain, fostering domestic manufacturing and reducing costs. For example, the photovoltaic base in Ningdong, in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, operates with a fully localized supply chain. As of the end of 2024, China’s new energy storage capacity reached 168 million kilowatt-hours, representing over 40 percent of global storage capacity and supporting grid reliability.
Beyond generation, China is expanding renewable energy applications through integrated multi-energy systems. Initiatives include microgrids in zero-carbon industrial parks that combine wind, solar, and hydrogen technologies with storage solutions. Pilot projects also seek to link computing infrastructure with green electricity sources, encouraging data centers to improve energy efficiency by situating near renewable generation sites.
While China’s experience presents a model, many Global South countries face challenges in replicating similar advances. Obstacles include high financing costs, limited grid infrastructure, and misaligned policy frameworks. For instance, Africa’s clean energy investments remain low relative to its resource potential, with nearly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lacking electricity access largely due to insufficient grid coverage. In Latin America, aging transmission systems require substantial upgrades to accommodate renewable power.
China’s experience suggests that developing countries could initially adopt policies tailored to their market maturity, such as renewable energy consumption quotas for large industrial users, to create steady demand for green power. Later stages might introduce market mechanisms like green certificate trading and electricity pricing reforms to integrate renewables more competitively. Furthermore, countries with limited grid access might benefit more immediately from distributed generation and interconnected microgrids rather than relying solely on expansive grid extensions.
The growth of the renewable sector is closely tied to cultivating a domestic industry supply chain, beyond mere equipment imports. Examples like the China-backed De Aar wind power project in Africa demonstrate how joint ventures and local workforce development can foster technology transfer and build local expertise.
China’s varied renewable projects also illustrate adaptive strategies suitable for diverse resource endowments. Agrisolar systems combine agriculture with solar power generation in farming regions, while hydropower-rich countries may enhance output stability through integrated hydro-wind-solar facilities. In ecologically vulnerable areas, solar farms are being combined with desert restoration efforts, providing both energy and environmental benefits.
During the next Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), China plans to advance its domestic renewable energy systems while deepening cooperation with other developing economies to support their clean energy transitions. Its experience offers a range of practical approaches for emerging economies aiming to navigate the dual challenges of energy transition and industrial development.