China solar and hydro output surge

• 14 days ago (2024-06-18)
• David Flin

Asia 859 Hydropower 116 Solar 249

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China has reduced power generation from fossil fuels as output from sunlight and water surges, suggesting that China’s emission levels may have peaked.

Thermal power, which accounts for the bulk of China’s carbon footprint, fell 4.3 per cent in May from the previous year. Hydropower rose sharply by 39 per cent after heavy rains fed a recovery. Output from solar farms rose by 29 per cent.

These factors suggest that China’s level of emissions will fall this year, ahead of the country’s target for reaching peak emissions by 2030. Achieving this will partly depend on the trajectory of China’s economy. Other significant emitters, like metal production and infrastructure construction could offset the gains made in power generation.

Grid constraints are also hampering the adoption of renewables.