Data released by China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) on 26 January 2024 showed that the country’s solar power generation capacity grew by a staggering 55.2% in 2023. The numbers highlight that over 216 GW of solar power have been added during 2023, equivalent to 14% of the world’s total installed PV capacity. China’s total installed PV capacity thus increased to 609 GW by the end of 2023.
According to Bloomberg News, China installed more solar panels in 2023 than any other single nation has installed in total. The monumental increase in solar power is complemented by a 20.7% rise in wind power capacity, showcasing the country’s commitment to clean energy. China committed to constructing 1,200 GW of renewable capacity by 2030 to support its 2030 and 2060 climate targets, and China is on track to meet this goal five years early. China’s overall power generation capacity grew by 13.9% over the course of 2023 and reached a total of 2,919 GW. Data from November 2023 already showed that China’s installed renewable energy capacity exceeded thermal power plant capacity for the first time.
| Generation capacity (End of Dec. 2023) (GW) | Growth rate (%) Year-on-Year | |
| Total | 2,919.65 | 13.6 |
| Hydro power | 421.54 | 1.8 |
| Thermal power | 1390.32 | 4.1 |
| Nuclear | 56.91 | 2.4 |
| Wind power | 441.34 | 20.7 |
| Solar Power | 609.49 | 55.2 |
