China’s Installed Power Capacity Hits 3.99 Billion kW, Renewables Leading Growth

China’s installed power generation capacity reached 3.99 billion kilowatts by the end of April, representing a 14.2% year-on-year increase, according to national electricity statistics released by the National Energy Administration on 25 May.

Solar and wind power continued to dominate capacity expansion. Solar installed capacity stood at 1.25 billion kW, up 26.2% year-on-year, while wind capacity reached 660 million kW, a 22.0% year-on-year rise. Both sectors outpaced the overall growth rate, highlighting the rapid low-carbon transition of China’s power system.

The data also showed that from January to April, the average utilisation hours of power generation equipment nationwide were 925 hours. The ongoing expansion of renewable capacity has accompanied adjustments in operational patterns across the grid.

Renewable energy has become the main driver of new capacity additions. In the first quarter of 2026, China added 58.93 million kW of renewable installed capacity, accounting for 70% of total new capacity. By the end of March, renewable capacity totalled around 2.4 billion kW, making up over 60% of the national total.

The continued growth in solar and wind capacity positions China’s power sector for further structural change. Industry forecasts indicate that by the end of 2026, solar installed capacity will surpass coal-fired capacity for the first time, with wind and solar combined accounting for half of the country’s total installed power capacity.

Investment in new energy infrastructure remains strong, supporting the country’s energy transition and ensuring stable power supply amid rising demand. The focus on expanding clean capacity aligns with efforts to optimise the energy mix and advance low-carbon development across the economy.