Official figures reveal that cumulative wind and solar installations surpassed two billion kilowatts by the end of September following rapid additions to the grid.
China hits milestone in renewable energy development as capacity surges
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China has reached a historic milestone in its renewable energy development after the combined installed capacity of wind and solar power broke through the two billion kilowatt mark by the end of September, according to announcements made by the National Energy Administration on Monday.
As of September 2026, the country’s cumulative installed capacity for wind and solar power reached 2.01 billion kilowatts, China Daily reports. During the first nine months of the year, approximately 170 million kilowatts of new wind and solar capacity were successfully added to the national grid, based on the latest data released by the administration.
Driving national growth through renewable energy development
Detailed figures show that solar power capacity stood at 1.31 billion kilowatts at the end of September, representing a 16.5 percent year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, wind power capacity reached 700 million kilowatts, marking a surge of 20.4 percent compared to the previous year. The rapid expansion of new energy continues to play an irreplaceable role in shaping China’s broader energy landscape, China Daily says.
From January to September, total electricity generated by wind and solar farms reached 1.93 trillion kilowatt-hours, registering an increase of 193.7 billion kilowatt-hours compared to the same period last year. Notably, the increment in wind and solar power generation accounted for 64 percent of the country’s total new electricity consumption.
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Officials highlighted that sustained renewable energy development and the large-scale substitution of traditional fossil fuels are continuously unleashing significant carbon reduction benefits. These advances cement renewables as the primary driving force behind the nation’s green transition.
Furthermore, this leapfrog development has significantly bolstered China’s national energy security. During the peak summer demand period this year, maximum midday wind and solar output accounted for over 40 percent of the total power load on days with the highest electricity demand. This robust performance guaranteed a reliable power supply during daytime usage spikes, effectively aiding the country in navigating global energy challenges.
