China claims it will add 55-65 GW solar power capacity in 2021

• 2 years ago (2021-07-23)
• David Flin

Asia 846 Solar 242

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The China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) said that the country is expected to add 55-65 GW of solar power capacity in 2021, taking total solar installations beyond 300 GW. Solar power installation reached about 13 GW in the first six months, with development of new solar projects slowed by supply constraints on photovoltaic raw material.

Wang Bohua, Honorary President of CPIA, said: “The progress of utility-scale solar projects in the coming months will depend on price movements alongside the solar supply chain.” However, Wang expected a boom in solar projects in the second half of the year, driven by government policies aimed at boosting renewable consumption. He forecast 55-65 GW on new capacity this year and said that average new solar capacity installation of 70-90 GW a year was expected over 2021-2025.

In May, Chinese power transmission firms were ordered to connect a minimum of 90 GW of wind and solar capacity to the grid this year. The Chinese government wants power generation from wind and solar plants to account for about 11 per cent of total power consumption in 2021, up from 9.7 per cent in 2020.