How much utility-scale solar and wind capacity is China working on?

This year alone, projects under development were up 57%.

China is currently developing a total of 1.3 terawatts of utility-scale solar and wind capacity, according to Global Energy Monitor (GEM).

In a new report, GEM said this year alone, China is working on 510 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale solar and wind capacity, up 57% from last year and three-quarters of all such capacity under construction globally.

Beijing’s total under-development projects could generate more electricity than how much Japan consumed in all of 2023.

“The country has also solidified its undisputed leadership in the offshore wind sector. Though offshore wind represents only a fraction of China’s total wind power capacity at 9%, it is gaining traction as coastal provinces pursue ambitious decarbonization targets,” GEM said.

In 2024, the East Asian superpower added 4.4 GW of offshore wind capacity. Meanwhile as of February 2025, China has 67 GW of projects in the development pipeline, of which 28 GW is under construction.

GEM noted that if Beijing continues to expand its offshore wind capacity, it could help displace coal and cut carbon emissions.

“Guangdong province’s 11.4 GW offshore wind fleet has the potential to avoid roughly 23 million tonnes of CO₂ each year if fully operational — equivalent to burning 8.7 million tonnes of standard coal,” the report noted.

Guangdong is not the only coastal province with offshore wind development running in parallel with its fossil fuel capacity.

“Whilst offshore wind’s capacity to deliver stable electricity makes it particularly well-suited for decarbonising China’s heavy industries — such as steel and petrochemical manufacturing concentrated along the east coast Bohai Rim, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta — it continues to face challenges as coal and gas are still on the rise across China,” GEM said.