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China has successfully connected one of the world’s largest solar power projects to the grid, as the country continues to ramp up its renewable energy installations. The Ruoqiang PV project, developed and operated by China Green Electricity Investment, has a massive capacity of 4 gigawatts (GW), which is equivalent to the entire installed solar capacity in Canada. This project is part of China’s efforts to peak its emissions by the end of the decade.
Despite the growth in renewable energy capacity, thermal power generation in China, mostly from coal-fired plants, has also increased by 1.9% in the first 11 months of this year. This trend suggests that coal and overall thermal power generation are still strong in China, despite the country’s push towards cleaner energy sources.
Coal currently accounts for about 60% of China’s power generation, and it is expected to remain a significant source of energy for many years to come. This is due to the country’s growing electricity demand, driven by the increasing use of household appliances, data centers, and electric vehicles.
The surge in Chinese power demand has been attributed to the rise of the middle class and the country’s booming electrification and data center expansion. As a result, coal-fired generation will continue to play a crucial role in China’s energy mix, even as the country strives to reduce its carbon emissions.
This news highlights the challenges that China faces in balancing its economic growth with its commitment to reducing emissions. While the country has made significant progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity, it still heavily relies on coal for its power generation. As China continues to grow, it will be crucial for the country to find a balance between meeting its energy demands and reducing its carbon footprint.