China rushes to build out solar, and emissions edge downward
3 days ago
- #carbon emissions
- #solar energy
- #climate change
- China is building the world's largest solar farm on the Tibetan plateau, covering 610 square kilometers.
- China's carbon emissions decreased by 1% in the first half of the year, signaling a potential peak ahead of the 2030 target.
- To achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, China needs an average annual emissions reduction of 3% over the next 35 years.
- Despite growing electricity demand (up 3.7%), solar, wind, and nuclear power additions have outpaced it, leading to a structural decline in emissions.
- China installed 212 gigawatts of solar capacity in six months, surpassing the U.S.'s total capacity of 178 gigawatts.
- Solar power has overtaken hydropower in China and is set to surpass wind power this year.
- China's emissions plateau is seen as a turning point in global climate efforts, showing economic growth can coexist with emissions reduction.
- Challenges remain, including reliance on coal and the need to shift to less resource-intensive economic sectors.
- The new solar farm can power 5 million households, but transmitting power from western solar farms to eastern population centers is a challenge.
- China is addressing transmission issues with new power lines but faces grid management challenges due to the variability of renewable energy sources.