China is reshaping the global clean energy economy – A greener life, a greener world

By Anders Lorenzen

Research released by the energy think tank, Ember, shows that China is not only reforming the energy sector at home, they’re positioning itself as the global player.

Ember’s analysis shows that the world’s biggest installer of renewable energy in 2024 continued its rapid energy transition with the solar and wind generated electricity increased by 25% compared with 2023.

And in the first half of 2025 it will continue to increase compared with the same time period for 2024 with a staggering 27%.

Chinese clean energy trends: Solar and wind gaining market share leadership

When it comes to the two fastest growing renewable energy technologies, in the 12 months leading up to June 2025, at 2,073 terawatt hours (TWh), they generated more electricity than all other clean sources, nuclear, hydro and bioenergy, as they combined generated 1,936 TWh.

The data from Ember highlighted a remarkable transformation and growth of the solar and wind sectors, as just four years ago they generated only half as much electricity as these other three clean energy sources combined. 

Sam Butler-Sloss, Research Manager at Ember, said about their report, “China has opened the door to a new energy future by building electro-technologies at a vast scale, slashing costs and raising the ceiling of possibility. The consequences reach far beyond its borders, enabling the emerging market energy leapfrog and swinging global fossil fuel demand from unrelenting growth to the brink of structural decline.”

China’s global clean energy dominance

The Ember report confirms that worldwide China is the world’s largest investor in clean energy by some mile. 

In 2024, the world’s second-largest economy invested $625 billion (bn) in clean energy, which represents a whopping 31 of global investments of $2,033bn.

Muyi Yang, Senior Analyst at Ember added, “China’s transition is no longer just additive, stacking renewables on top of fossil fuels. With clean energy surging and electrification spreading across the economy, fossil fuel use in power generation and end-use sectors is nearing a plateau. What once seemed like mere additions now looks like the take-off point for real transformation. The message to the world is clear: a genuine transition is possible, but it takes careful planning, sound policy, and, most importantly, sustained commitment.”

Ramping up energy storage

China is also supercharging investments when it comes to energy storage, which is critical for having a self-reliant renewable energy system. In the three years leading up to 2024, the country tripled installed battery storage. Additionally, grid investments rose to an all-time high in 2024 at $85 bn – up by 25% compared to the 2019 figure of $68bn.

Clean energy as an economic driver in China

Several factors contribute to why China is going all in on this transition, such as driving a more sustainable economy and future, and understanding that fossil fuels belong to the old economy and are not fit for the 21st world economy.

China has already seen several economic savings and benefits as they are reducing its reliance on importing fossil fuels, and as a result reducing energy costs, creating growth, jobs and export markets.

In 2024, the production and investment in clean energy contributed $1.9 trillion (trn) to China’s national economy, equivalent to one-tenth of its GDP. The Chinese clean energy sector is outpacing the growth of the overall economy by a factor of three.

China positions itself as a global clean energy technology leader

From a global perspective, China is also at the heart of the sector – in terms of research, development and innovation, Chinese companies account for 75% of global patent applications in clean energy technology. This dominance have rapidly accelerated after it 25 years ago in 2000 just had a 5% share.

These investments are in return driving down the costs of key clean energy technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels, storage batteries and electric vehicles.

Ember says says that this will predominantly benefit emerging markets, many of which are overtaking OECD countries.

Anders Lorenzen is the founding Editor of A greener life, a greener world.