According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China leads in hydroelectric, wind and solar power generation, and capacity of nuclear power plants under construction. As of the end of July 2021, the installed capacity of non-fossil energy power generation nationwide increased by 18.0% from the same period of the previous year to 1.03 billion kW, which is equivalent to more than 40 power plants such as the Three Gorges Dam. Hydropower capacity increased 4.9% year-on-year to 380 million kW, nuclear power increased 9.2% to 53.26 million kW, wind power increased 34.4% to 290 million kW, solar power increased by 23.6% to 270 million kW, and biomass power generation increased by 31.2% to 34.09 million kW. Cumulative power generation of hydroelectric power, nuclear power, wind power, and solar power increased by 10.2% in the first half of the year. The investment in clean energy such as hydropower, nuclear power, and wind power from January to July accounted for 91.7% of the investment in power sources. As of the end of last year, the installed capacity of coal-fired power generation fell below 50% for the first time, and the number of coal-fired power generators that achieved ultra-low emissions amounted to about 950 million kW. The national power supply coal consumption rate from January to July this year was 303 grams per 1kWh, a decrease of 1g per 1kWh from the same period of the previous year.

Japan JST China news, September 6, 2021