China’s transition towards renewable energy is one of the most consequential economic and geopolitical shifts of the 21st century. Over the past decade, Beijing has transformed its industrial and policy landscape as the world’s leading producer, exporter, and innovator in clean energy technologies. Renewable energy is no longer just an environmental or economic agenda for China; it is central to its foreign policy, industrial planning, and long-term vision of shared prosperity.
In less than a decade, China has become the unrivalled hub for renewable energy equipment manufacturing. Its dominance is most visible in the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector. By 2024, Chinese factories were producing over 80% of the world’s solar panels and nearly the entire global supply of wafers and cells. [1] By 2026, China is expected to maintain more than 80% of global capacity across polysilicon, wafer, cell, and module production. This scale has created unprecedented efficiencies, driving down global solar costs and reinforcing China’s leadership in energy technology. [2]
