China sources most of its electricity from coal. In 2023, fossil fuels made up ** percent of the total electricity in the country. Despite continuing to expand its coal power plant fleet, China has recently redirected its investment efforts towards clean energy initiatives with the aim of reducing pollution and emission levels. From fossil to the future As the largest global polluter, China has designated the development of renewable energy sources as a major objective of its economic policies. Already, the country produced the most renewable energy worldwide. However, as the second-largest economy, it was also the biggest energy consumer, attributed to its population numbers and a large manufacturing sector. According to the China Electricity Council, a national trade organization, the combined capacity of wind and solar power was going to exceed the projected coal power supply in 2024. Long-distance relationship One of the greatest obstacles to the green energy transition in the PRC is the distance between the green energy sources and its consumers. In general, the country has favorable conditions for the installation of wind and solar power, as the northwestern regions are not only abundant in wind and sun but also host China's hydroelectric dams. Nonetheless, most individuals and institutions lack awareness. However, most people and industry are in the country’s coastal provinces, many thousands of kilometers away. As a result, the country has built the world’s leading ultra-high-voltage electricity transmission system, which allows the transmission of energy over large distances. The longest transmission circuit in China exceeds 2,000 kilometers.

Coal is by far the major primary energy fuel used in China, with a consumption volume amounting to **** exajoules in 2023. Ranking second that year was oil, accounting for less than ** percent of the East Asian country's total consumption. By contrast, China's primary energy consumption from renewable sources amounted to **** exajoules in 2023, up from **** exajoules in the previous year.

In 2023, coal accounted for **** percent of primary energy production in China. In the period of consideration, the share of energy generated from coal has decreased consistently, while the share of primary electricity has doubled.

China is the largest consumer of primary energy in the world, having used some 176.35 exajoules in 2024. This is a lot more than what the United States consumed, which comes in second place. The majority of primary energy fuels worldwide are still derived from fossil fuels, such as oil and coal. China's energy mix China’s primary energy mix has shifted from a dominant use of coal to an increase in natural gas and renewable sources. Since 2013, the renewables share in total energy consumption has grown by around eight percentage points. Overall, global primary energy consumption has increased over the last decade, and it is expected to experience the largest growth in emerging economies like the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India, and China. What is primary energy? Primary energy is the energy inherent in natural resources such as crude oil, coal, and wind before further transformation. For example, crude oil can be refined into secondary fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, while wind is harnessed for electricity - itself a secondary energy source. A country’s total primary energy supply is a measure of the country’s primary energy sources. Meanwhile, end use energy is the energy directly consumed by the user and includes primary fuels such as natural gas, as well as secondary sources, like electricity and gasoline.

China Total Primary Energy Supply data was reported at 3,499.480 TOE mn in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,388.770 TOE mn for 2019. China Total Primary Energy Supply data is updated yearly, averaging 1,781.340 TOE mn from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2020, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,499.480 TOE mn in 2020 and a record low of 848.000 TOE mn in 1991. China Total Primary Energy Supply data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.OECD.GGI: Environmental: Energy Production and Consumption: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Fossil fuels remain the greatest source of electricity generation worldwide. In 2023, coal accounted for roughly 35.5 percent of the global power mix, while natural gas followed with a 23 percent share. China, India, and the United States accounted for the largest share of coal used for electricity generation. The future of renewable energy Fossil fuel use notwithstanding, the share of renewables in global electricity has seen a more pronounced year-on-year growth in recent years, following increased efforts by governments to combat global warming and a decrease in levelized costs. Projections indicate that renewables will surpass fossil fuels as the main power source by 2040. Electricity consumption in the world China is the largest electricity consumer in the world, requiring more than 8,000 terawatt-hours of electricity every year. However, this economic power accounts for the largest population in the world and its electricity consumption per capita is almost tenfold smaller than the consumption of Iceland, although the power used in this country came almost completely from clean sources.

Coal is the main energy source consumed in China. In 2023, raw coal accounted for 55.3 percent of the country's total energy consumption. This figure has decreased nearly every year since 2011, falling by over ten percentage points in the period of consideration.

The Alternative Energy industry in China is engaged in power generation via wind, geothermal, solar, tidal and biomass energy, and other new energy sources. Industry revenue is expected to grow steadily at an annualized 16.8% over the five years through 2024, to reach $126.4 billion. This includes expected growth of 11.2% in the current year. The primary industry drivers are increasing domestic demand, increasing environmental consciousness and heavy government assistance.Industry profitability growth benefits from upstream equipment manufacturing technology improvement and growing electricity consumption. Profit is expected to make up 31.2% of total industry revenue in 2024, up from 29.5% in 2019.The Chinese government has made the development of new energy generation methods a priority, in response to climate change and in pursuit of energy savings and emissions reduction. The Kyoto Protocol also stimulates new energy development in China through clean development mechanisms (CDMs). Since its implementation in February 2005, more economically developed countries have been investing in new energy projects in developing countries in exchange for certified emission reductions (CERs). As a major developing country, China has received significant investment for new energy projects, which has benefited the industry.Over the next five years, industry revenue is forecast to increase at an average annualized rate of 8.0%, to total $185.7 billion in 2029. The number and scope of wind, solar, biomass and biogas energy generation projects are all projected to increase over the period. In addition, more economically developed countries will likely increasingly invest in new energy projects in China to purchase CERs, which is expected to boost industry performance.

The Asia Pacific region consumes the most primary energy in the world, at around 291.8 exajoules in 2023. Consumption of primary energy is generally increasing worldwide, and has risen in Asia-Pacific by more than 95 exajoules since 2010. Primary energy consumption is the use of crude energy prior to refining or conversion. Countries with the highest energy consumption North America follows Asia Pacific as the world’s second-largest consumer of primary energy, having consumed 117 exajoules in 2023. High consumption levels in Asia Pacific and North America come in large part from China and the United States. Rapid industrial growth and a growing middle class have resulted in energy consumption in China to more than quadruple since 2000. Growth and common energy sources While primary energy use has steadily increased across the globe, renewable energy consumption has more than tripled since 2000. Nevertheless, renewables remain among the least-used primary energy source, just above nuclear power. Fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, are consumed at a higher volume than any other type of primary energy source in the world.

In 2023, China consumed **** percent of global primary energy, positioning itself as the largest primary energy consumer across the world. The United States followed, with more than ****** the consumption share of India and Russia, the third and fourth-largest consumers worldwide. China’s use of energy Most of the primary energy consumed in China comes from coal, while crude oil is the country’s second most-consumed resource. Primary energy consumption in China has increased ****-fold since 2000 and continues to rise each year. Rapid energy plants construction is a major reason for China's rising energy consumption. Sources of primary energy Primary energy comes directly from natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable, and has not yet been subject to transformation through human processes. Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas are the most common types of primary energy sources worldwide. Consumption of renewables such as solar and wind currently remains at a much lower level than that of fossil fuels. For instance, the use of coal alone is ***** times greater than that of renewable sources. However, global renewable energy consumption has been growing steadily over the past decades.

Key information about China Electricity Production

• Electricity Production in China reached 846,240 GWh in Dec 2024, compared with 749,510 GWh in the previous month.
• Electricity Production data of China is updated monthly averaging at 189,206 GWh from Apr 1986 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 907,420 GWh in Aug 2024 and a record low of 35,650 GWh in Apr 1986.

China generated approximately *** terawatt hours of electricity using nuclear power in 2024. Although thermal energy sources such as coal remain the largest contributor to China's energy mix, the use of non-fossil sources notably increased in the past few years. Renewable energy in China In the last two decades, China has raised the capacity and hence the generation volume of electricity from all sources in order to meet ever-growing energy demand. Most of this growth came from thermal sources, nevertheless, renewable energy consumption in China has increased more than tenfold since the early 2000s. In 2024, clean electricity sources accounted for a third of power. This may be evidenced by the significant growth rate of renewable capacity. China's role in the global renewable energy industry In 2021, China's government announced that it was striving towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Already, China has become one of the leading players in the renewable energy arena, housing multiple major manufacturers. In fact, China accounts for nearly ** percent of solar PV module production worldwide.

China Energy Balance: Primary: Total Crude: Crude Oil: Production From Other Sources data was reported at 0.000 Barrel/kton in Jan 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 Barrel/kton for Dec 2024. China Energy Balance: Primary: Total Crude: Crude Oil: Production From Other Sources data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 Barrel/kton from Jan 2009 (Median) to Jan 2025, with 193 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 Barrel/kton in Jan 2025 and a record low of 0.000 Barrel/kton in Jan 2025. China Energy Balance: Primary: Total Crude: Crude Oil: Production From Other Sources data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Joint Organisations Data Initiative. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.JODI.WDB: Energy Balance: Oil. Including lease condensate; Inputs of additives, biofuels and other hydrocarbons that are produced from non-oil sources such as: coal, natural gas or renewables

Forecast: Total Primary Energy Supply in China 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

The Chinese Renewable Energy Market size was valued at USD XX Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD XXX Million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.70">> 8.70 % during the forecasts periods. Renewable energy refers to energy derived from natural sources that are replenished on a human timescale. These sources include sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and contribute to environmental degradation, renewable energy sources are sustainable and have a significantly lower environmental impact. Renewable energy offers numerous benefits over traditional fossil fuels. Firstly, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which are the primary drivers of climate change. By replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources, we can significantly lower our carbon footprint and mitigate the impacts of global warming. Secondly, renewable energy sources are abundant and inexhaustible, providing a sustainable solution to the world's growing energy needs. Additionally, the use of renewable energy can enhance energy security by reducing dependence on imported fuels and diversifying the energy supply. Recent developments include: In July 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission of China announced a plan for new-build public buildings and factories in towns and cities to be covered at 50% by solar panels by 2025, which is expected to be a significant driver for the solar energy market in the country., In December 2021, the Yangjiang Shapa Phase 2 offshore wind farm was fully operational. The project is located in the waters west of Shapa, off the city of Yangjiang in Guangdong Province, and has a capacity of 400 MW comprising 62 6.45 MW offshore wind turbines.. Key drivers for this market are: 4., Demand for Cleaner Energy4.; Supportive Government Policies. Potential restraints include: 4., Underdeveloped Power Grid. Notable trends are: Solar Energy Segment to Witness Significant Growth.

China Power EPC Market is growing at a faster pace with substantial growth rates over the last few years and is estimated that the market will grow significantly in the forecasted period.

Key Market Drivers: Demand For Renewable Energy Sources: The transition to cleaner energy sources is anticipated to drive the adoption of EPC services in solar, wind, and hydropower projects. This shift is projected to be fueled by stringent environmental regulations and international commitments to reduce carbon emissions. The high renewable energy capacity, projected to reach 1,020 GW by 2022, along with the world's largest solar power installations totaling 392 GW, and a wind power capacity of 365 GW, serve as a key driver for increasing the targeted share of renewable energy to 35% of the total energy mix by 2030. Investments In Power Infrastructure: Rising global energy consumption is expected to result in significant investments in upgrading and expanding power grids. These investments are estimated to focus on enhancing efficiency, reliability, and accessibility across urban and rural regions. The driver of total power infrastructure investment, totaling USD 380 Billion in 2022, alongside an annual $95 billion spending on grid modernization, underscores the significant financial commitment to upgrading and expanding China's power grid. Urbanization And Industrialization Rates: Rapid urbanization and industrial growth are anticipated to drive demand for robust energy solutions and modernized power systems. China Power EPC services are projected to be critical in meeting the infrastructural needs of expanding cities and industrial zones. Adoption Of Technological Advancements: The integration of smart technologies, such as IoT and AI, in power systems is likely to require specialized EPC expertise. These innovations are expected to optimize operational efficiency and enable predictive maintenance in energy infrastructure. Government Support And Policies: Favorable government policies, subsidies, and incentives for energy projects are estimated to boost the demand for EPC services. Supportive frameworks are anticipated to streamline project approvals and foster private-sector participation in the power sector.

China Energy Consumption: Industry: Electricity, Gas and Water Production and Supply (EG) data was reported at 384.380 SCE Ton mn in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 371.880 SCE Ton mn for 2021. China Energy Consumption: Industry: Electricity, Gas and Water Production and Supply (EG) data is updated yearly, averaging 199.004 SCE Ton mn from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2022, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 384.380 SCE Ton mn in 2022 and a record low of 65.982 SCE Ton mn in 1994. China Energy Consumption: Industry: Electricity, Gas and Water Production and Supply (EG) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.RBB: Energy Consumption.

The China thermal power plant market, currently valued at approximately $XX million (assuming a reasonable market size based on global trends and the provided CAGR), is projected to experience robust growth, exceeding a 3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is fueled by increasing energy demand driven by rapid industrialization and urbanization within China. The dominance of coal in the fuel mix, while gradually transitioning towards a greater gas and potentially nuclear component, presents both opportunities and challenges. Government initiatives promoting cleaner energy sources are influencing market dynamics, pushing for a shift away from coal-fired plants towards more sustainable alternatives. However, the country's vast existing coal-based infrastructure and the need for reliable baseload power continue to sustain the market for coal-fired thermal power plants in the near term. Major players like Datang International, China Energy Engineering Corporation, and Huaneng Group are strategically positioned to benefit from these trends, although competition is intensifying as companies focus on efficiency improvements and compliance with stricter environmental regulations. The market segmentation by fuel type reflects this shift, with coal maintaining a significant share, but gas and nuclear experiencing notable growth in the forecast period. Regional variations within China are expected, with certain provinces potentially exhibiting faster growth than others due to differing energy consumption patterns and infrastructure development. The market's sustained growth hinges on balancing the need for reliable and affordable energy with the imperative for environmental sustainability. While the transition to cleaner energy sources is inevitable, the considerable existing coal-based capacity and the time required to build and integrate new power generation facilities will ensure the thermal power plant market remains a significant sector in the Chinese energy landscape throughout the forecast period. Further investment in modernization and technological advancements, particularly in emission control technologies for coal plants, will be key to mitigating environmental concerns and promoting responsible growth within the sector. The potential for integration of renewable energy sources within existing thermal power plant infrastructure could also contribute significantly to the sector's transformation and future trajectory. Notable trends are: Coal Segment Expected to Dominate the Market.

China Energy Consumption: Industry: EG: Electricity, Heat Production and Supply data was reported at 343.780 SCE Ton mn in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 334.870 SCE Ton mn for 2021. China Energy Consumption: Industry: EG: Electricity, Heat Production and Supply data is updated yearly, averaging 144.320 SCE Ton mn from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2022, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 343.780 SCE Ton mn in 2022 and a record low of 25.120 SCE Ton mn in 1985. China Energy Consumption: Industry: EG: Electricity, Heat Production and Supply data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Energy Sector – Table CN.RBB: Energy Consumption.

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The clean energy technologies market share in China is expected to increase by 398.03 gigawatts from 2021 to 2026, at a CAGR of 8.86%.

This clean energy technologies market in China research report provides valuable insights on the post COVID-19 impact on the market, which will help companies evaluate their business approaches. Furthermore, this report extensively covers clean energy technologies market in China segmentation by technology (clean coal, hydro power, wind power, solar power, and others) and end-user (industries, buildings, and others). The clean energy technologies market in China report also offers information on several market vendors, including Envision Energy USA Ltd., General Electric Co., JA Solar Technology Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Shanghai Taisheng Wind Power Equipment Co. Ltd., Siemens AG, Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd., and Xinjiang Goldwind Science and Technology Co. Ltd. among others.

What will the Clean Energy Technologies Market Size in China be During the Forecast Period?

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Clean Energy Technologies Market in China: Key Drivers, Trends, and Challenges

The favorable government regulations is notably driving the clean energy technologies market growth in China, although factors such as competition from other sources of energy may impede the market growth. Our research analysts have studied the historical data and deduced the key market drivers and the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the clean energy technologies industry in China. The holistic analysis of the drivers will help in deducing end goals and refining marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge.

Key Clean Energy Technologies Market Driver in China

The favorable government regulations is one of the key drivers supporting the clean energy technologies market growth in China. For instance, on January 23, 2018, China’s 13th Five Year Plan (2016-2020) on geothermal energy was released by the NEA, effective as of January 1, 2016. According to the plan, the government will increase the installed capacity of geothermal power generation and also raise the total geothermal heating (cooling) area to 1.6 billion square meters by 2020. Furthermore, carbon emission per unit of gross domestic product is expected to decrease by 60%-65% when compared with 2005 to meet the targets mentioned above. Moreover, by 2050, the country aims to achieve stability in primary energy consumption, more than half of which will be contributed by non-fossil energy. Hence, the adoption of clean energy technologies is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period, boosting the growth of the clean energy technologies market in China

Key Clean Energy Technologies Market Trend in China

The increasing popularity of hybrid power projects is one of the key trends contributing to the clean energy technologies market growth in China. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the development of the first solar-coal hybrid power plant in the Inner Mongolia region of China will have a potential net solar power output of 10 MW. This approach might improve the performance of coal-fired power plants. Moreover, appropriate FITs are expected to be provided by the government, considering different financial scenarios, collector area size, solar field cost, and other conditions. Hence, the development of such hybrid power projects is expected to further improve plant efficiencies and reduce the cost of power generation, thus boosting the growth of the clean energy technologies market in China during the forecast period.

Key Clean Energy Technologies Market Challenge in China

Competition from other sources of energy is one of the factors hindering the clean energy technologies market growth in China. The share of natural gas in the primary energy mix in China is expected to grow from under 6% in 2016 to over 12% by 2040. Also, the installed capacity of power generation from oil accounted for 1% of the total installed capacity in 2020. However, drilling and extraction of natural gas from wells and its transportation through pipelines result in the leakage of methane, which is the primary component of natural gas. The heat-trapping capacity of methane is much higher than CO2 for a 20-year period. Also, the fugitive methane emissions can range up to one-tenth of the total life cycle emissions. Hence, coal power generation from conventional non-clean technologies and natural gas accounts for a significant portion of China’s energy mix, thus restricting the growth of the clean energy technologies market in the country

This clean energy technologies market in China analysis report also provides detailed information on other upcoming trends and challenges