China has made significant strides in renewable energy, achieving new records for installations of wind and solar power as 2024 came to a close. With 357 gigawatts of new capacity added, the country surpassed its own ambitious renewable energy target six years ahead of schedule. According to China's National Energy Administration, this achievement reflects a 45 percent increase in solar capacity and 18 percent increase for wind energy. Despite being the world's largest carbon emitter, experts suggest China's rapid expansion of renewables is pivotal for both energy and climate security.
Daniel Jasper, senior policy advisor for Project Drawdown, notes, "While China's overall emissions are the largest of any single country, they have recognized – at least, in part – ... rapidly building renewables is ... for energy and climate security."
This record-breaking pace has positioned China as the frontrunner for global energy transition, particularly following changes in the U.S. administration, which some analysts believe presents new opportunities for leadership. Meanwhile, the U.S. also experienced substantial growth in renewable energy installations, with about 268 gigawatts added in the same year, according to the American Clean Power Association. The contrasts between the two nations are stark, with the U.S. clean energy sector wrestling with policy hurdles under former President Donald Trump, who has favored fossil fuel developments.
Across the Atlantic, the European Union is similarly experiencing remarkable advancements. A recent report from the think tank Ember revealed for the first time, solar energy generation surpassed coal across all 27 EU member states. Renewables now account for 47 percent of the region’s electricity output. Chris Rosslowe, the lead author of Ember’s ‘European Electricity Review’, emphasized, "Fossil fuels are losing their grip on EU energy." He elaborated on how significant investment and regulatory frameworks introduced by the European Green Deal have driven this shift.
Since 2019, EU electricity generation from renewables has surged from 34 percent to 47 percent—11 percent of which now originates from solar power. Data from Ember indicates wind energy has also made notable contributions, alongside nuclear power which comprises another 24 percent of the energy mix. Countries like Hungary and Greece are leading the charge, with Hungary increasing solar energy's share of electric production from 4 percent to 25 percent since 2019.
Australia, too, is part of this global transition, reporting its coal reliance has dropped below 50 percent for the first time, as well as record highs for rooftop and grid-scale solar energy production. Violette Mouchaileh from the Australian Energy Market Operator stated, "The rise in rooftop solar output, coupled with record low coal-generation availability, resulted ... coal-fired generation contributing less than 50 percent of the NEM's total generation for the first time." Renewable sources are now supplying 46 percent of the country’s total electricity generation as Australia ramps up its clean energy financing initiatives.
Pieter de Pous of think tank E3G lauded Europe’s transition, comparing its rapid evolution from coal-dependent economies to leaders of clean energy by stating, "...it's transforming ... community of solar and wind power, batteries and smart technologies." He pointed out the role of gas pricing and subsidies aligning with clean energy investments as pivotal to maintaining European energy independence.
These developments signal more than just energy statistics; they represent the shifting tides of global dependency from fossil fuels to renewable sources, moving toward more sustainable practices. Climate change pressures and policies aimed at curbing carbon emissions are not only pressing countries to adopt cleaner energy solutions but are also fostering new economic landscapes. The EU has noted around $61 billion saved through fossil fuel avoidance since 2019, which translates to economic benefits as well as environmental gains.
The urgency of these transitions is evident as geopolitical tensions and energy distributions are at stake. With the climate crisis worsening globally, and countries seeking to answer the calls for action, the transition to renewables appears to be not just beneficial, but necessary.
This movement highlights how nations previously tied to fossil fuels are now taking bold steps toward renewable energy, driven by both innovation and pragmatism. With its impressive achievements and significant investments, countries like China, the EU, and Australia aren’t merely participating; they are leading by example, pushing the world closer to a sustainable energy future.