Grid capacity a hurdle in green energy shift

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 23, 2026

China is constructing over 500 gigawatts of wind and solar power projects, aiming for renewables to exceed half of its power capacity by 2030, but grid transmission limitations are causing significant renewable energy curtailment. This bottleneck risks sustaining coal use within the energy mix, potentially hindering China's efforts to reduce carbon emissions despite its renewable capacity growth.

China is rapidly expanding its wind and solar power capacity, with more than 500 gigawatts (GW) of projects currently under construction, positioning the country to exceed its goal of having wind and solar account for over half of its installed power capacity by 2030. However, transmission bottlenecks threaten to slow the transition away from coal, a recent analysis by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) warns.

Despite the surge in renewable projects, much of the clean energy generated in northwest and northern regions struggles to reach the major demand centers in eastern China due to limited grid infrastructure. Approximately 315GW of wind and solar capacity planned to come online by 2030 will depend on outbound transmission lines, which require about 27 ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) lines to deliver electricity efficiently over long distances. China’s current five-year plan, however, includes capacity for only about 10 such lines, some of which are designated for hydropower rather than wind or solar.

The result is already evident in rising curtailment rates, where excess renewable electricity is forced offline. In 2025, solar curtailment in provinces such as Qinghai, Xinjiang, and Gansu ranged between 10% and 17%, while wind curtailment in northern regions was estimated between 4% and 9%. Actual figures may be higher, the report suggests.

Coal remains deeply entrenched in China’s power system. On the UHVDC network, wind and solar power constitute only about 20% of transmitted electricity, with coal accounting for approximately 42%—a ratio that has remained relatively stable since 2021. Eleven planned transmission lines serving renewable "megabases" are expected to combine 129GW of wind and solar capacity with 40GW of coal-fired power, highlighting the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels.

In an effort to reduce curtailment, some renewable projects are paired with local industrial demand through methods such as energy storage, industrial parks, direct green electricity connections, and green hydrogen production. Yet, GEM points out this approach risks reinforcing what it calls a “coal lock-in.” Clean energy may be used primarily to satisfy regulatory requirements for high-emissions projects rather than to replace coal consumption outright.

For instance, the Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group’s coal-to-olefins plant in Inner Mongolia, which began operation last year, is linked to a 1GW wind and solar project projected to reduce its coal use by only about 2.2% annually.

The report warns that coal’s role may evolve from a backup fuel to an integral part of China’s future power system, undermining efforts to decarbonize. According to GEM’s senior East Asia strategist Aiqun Yu, the true measure of China’s renewable energy push will be the extent to which it displaces coal use, not solely the gigawatts of capacity installed.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.