China is solidifying its position as the world leader in renewable energy development, with a staggering 339 GW of utility-scale solar and wind power currently under construction. This capacity is nearly twice that of the rest of the world combined, which really shows China’s commitment to clean energy.
Between March 2023 and March 2024, China installed more solar capacity than it had in the previous three years combined, surpassing the rest of the world’s 2023 installations. This expansion has been driven by both large-scale projects and distributed solar installations, with the latter gaining popularity due to lower investment costs and strong policy support.
If this was a squid game, I’d say China has cut out the umbrella shape perfectly. If the UK doesn’t also align its strategy with net zero goals, we won’t last very long on the planet.
While China’s focus has been on utility-scale and distributed solar, this massive growth has implications for portable solar energy as well. The technological advancements and economies of scale achieved in China’s solar industry are likely to benefit portable solar solutions globally, potentially making them more efficient and affordable.
In contrast, the UK’s renewable energy sector, while growing, operates on a much smaller scale. As of 2023, the UK had approximately 14 GW of solar capacity installed, a fraction of China’s capacity. However, the UK has been making strides in offshore wind energy, an area where it leads Europe.
The disparity between China and countries like the UK in renewable energy development really shows that we need for increased global cooperation and knowledge sharing in clean energy technologies. As portable solar solutions continue to evolve, they may play an increasingly important role in bridging the gap between large-scale installations and individual energy needs, both in rapidly developing markets like China and in countries with more limited renewable capacity like the UK.
Did you like Season 2 of Squid games??
References
Global Energy Monitor. (2024). China continues to lead the world in wind and solar, with twice as much capacity under construction as the rest of the world combined. Available at: https://globalenergymonitor.org/report/china-continues-to-lead-the-world-in-wind-and-solar-with-twice-as-much-capacity-under-construction-as-the-rest-of-the-world-combined/ (Accessed: 2 January 2025).
Carbon Brief. (2024). Analysis: China’s clean energy pushes coal to record-low 53% share of power in May 2024. Available at: https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chinas-clean-energy-pushes-coal-to-record-low-53-share-of-power-in-may-2024/ (Accessed: 2 January 2025).
International Energy Agency. (2024). Renewables 2024 – Electricity. Available at: https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2024/electricity (Accessed: 2 January 2025).
Wikipedia. (2024). Renewable energy in China. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy_in_China (Accessed: 2 January 2025).
Solar Green Solutions. (2024). What’s the Future of Portable Solar Energy. Available at: https://solargreensolutions.co.uk/whats-the-future-of-portable-solar-energy/ (Accessed: 2 January 2025).
