China's Clean Energy Capacity Officially Surpasses Fossil Fuels
China's clean energy capacity officially passes 51%, surpassing fossil fuels for the first time — driven by a massive solar power surge.
The world's largest energy consumer and carbon emitter has just crossed a historic threshold: China's installed clean energy capacity now exceeds fossil fuels, hitting 51%.
Solar power has been the overwhelming driver. China installed more solar capacity in 2025 than the rest of the world combined, and Chinese solar exports also hit records. The pace of deployment has consistently exceeded even the most optimistic projections from just a few years ago.
The milestone carries enormous global significance. When the country responsible for roughly 30% of global carbon emissions pivots its energy infrastructure toward clean sources, it reshapes the trajectory of climate change for everyone.
Key Facts
- Clean energy at 51% of installed capacity, surpassing fossil fuels (Rare Earth Exchanges)
- Solar power is the primary driver
- China installed more solar in 2025 than the rest of the world combined
- Chinese solar exports hit records in 2025 (CFR)
Why This Matters
For years, climate sceptics pointed to China's growing emissions as a reason for inaction elsewhere. This milestone undermines that argument. The world's largest emitter isn't just pledging change — it's building it, at a pace and scale that no other nation has matched.
The cost reductions driven by Chinese manufacturing are also making clean energy more affordable globally, accelerating the energy transition even in countries with less aggressive climate policies.
What We Don't Know Yet
Capacity doesn't equal generation. Fossil fuels still produce more actual electricity in China due to higher capacity factors and the intermittent nature of solar and wind. China continues to approve new coal plants as backup capacity. And the critical minerals supply chain — rare earths, lithium, cobalt — behind this clean energy boom raises its own set of environmental and geopolitical concerns.
Sources: Rare Earth Exchanges · Council on Foreign Relations
Published 2026-02-20 · Category: Environment & Climate
