XINHUA – China’s cumulative installed power generation capacity reached 3.43 billion kilowatts by the end of March, marking a year-on-year increase of 14.6 per cent, according to official data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA).
The surge was driven in large part by the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources.
Solar power generation capacity stood at 950 million kilowatts, representing a sharp year-on-year increase of 43.4 per cent. Wind power also maintained steady growth, with installed capacity reaching 540 million kilowatts, up 17.2 per cent compared to the same period last year.
While investment in new power generation projects by major power companies totalled CNY132.2 billion (approximately USD18.34 billion) in the first quarter, this represented a slight decline of 2.5 per cent year-on-year.
The dip in investment may reflect a short-term adjustment in spending priorities, as companies and authorities seek to balance expansion with efficiency, amid ongoing efforts to meet carbon peaking and neutrality goals.
Despite the drop, the figure remains substantial, underscoring the country’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, investment in power grid projects saw significant acceleration, reaching CNY95.6 billion during the January–March period. This marked a robust year-on-year increase of 24.8 per cent.
The rise in grid investment is seen as a critical component of China’s broader strategy to modernise its electricity transmission system, improve energy efficiency, and better integrate renewable energy into the national grid.
