The Chinese Renewable Energy Revolution Affects The Whole World - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the profound global impact of China's rapid expansion in renewable energy production, particularly solar panels and wind turbines. Jeremy Wallace, a China Studies professor, highlights that China’s solar supply chain can now produce about 1 terawatt of panels annually, a significant portion of the world’s total installed electricity capacity of roughly 10 terawatts in 2024. This massive output has driven down the global cost of electricity generation to around 4 cents per kilowatt-hour, potentially the cheapest energy cost in history. However, this green energy revolution is marked by intense competition rather than centralized control, leading to disruptive effects such as the decline of coal-dependent communities, market price wars, and grid stability challenges. Contrary to common belief, China’s renewable energy growth is driven more by shifting government policies than by sustained subsidies. For example, a policy that linked renewable energy prices to coal power prices was discontinued in early 2024, leading to a surge in solar capacity installations—up to 92