China is accelerating its transition to clean energy, with renewable sources accounting for a record 39% of the country’s electricity mix in the first quarter of 2025—up from 34% in the same period last year. The shift marks a significant step in the nation’s long-term decarbonization strategy and positions it as a global leader in clean power generation.
New data from energy think tank Ember reveals that clean electricity generation surged to 951 terawatt-hours (TWh) from January to March, a 19% increase year-on-year. Solar power saw the sharpest growth, soaring 48% to 254 TWh and achieving a new record share of 10% of total generation. Wind led overall clean output with 307 TWh, contributing 13%.
For the first time, combined wind and solar output surpassed hydropower, which rose modestly by 7% to 226 TWh. Nuclear power also increased by 13% to 117 TWh.
This growth in renewables drove a notable 4% drop in coal-fired electricity, which remains the largest source of power in China but saw its share decline from 63% to 58%. Gas generation also fell by 4%, bringing total fossil fuel output to 2,445 TWh.
In contrast, clean energy progress in other major economies lagged. The United States recorded only a 6% increase in clean power during the same period, while Europe’s output declined by 5%.
“China’s clean power expansion in Q1 alone nearly triples U.S. growth and dwarfs Europe’s decline,” said a spokesperson from Ember.
With solar and hydropower expected to peak in the summer months, China is projected to set even more clean energy records by the end of 2025.
