Otis Singleton
Access to electricity is an important social and economic indicator, providing insight into poverty alleviation, economic growth, and improved living standards. While there is no universally accepted definition of access to electricity, it generally refers to the availability of electricity and safe cooking facilities, with a minimum consumption threshold that differs based on rural or urban residency. China, a country with a large land mass and long coastline, has a unique energy landscape. With abundant energy reserves, China is a global powerhouse in natural gas and a leading installer of solar photovoltaics. In recent years, China has also focused on developing wind and nuclear power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total power generation capacity for renewable energy sources | 53.9% as of 2023 |
| Electricity generated from coal | 1040 GW in 2019 |
| Number of nuclear plants in operation | 55 with 57 GW of power as of February 2023 |
| Number of nuclear plants under construction | 22 with 24 GW of power as of February 2023 |
| Electricity generated from nuclear energy | 5% of the country's total electricity |
| Electricity generated from natural gas | 272 TWh in 2021 |
| Exploitable wind capacity on land and sea | 2,380 GW and 200 GW respectively |
| Wind power in China | 329 GW as of 2021 |
| Electricity generated from wind power | 655,000 GWh as of 2021 |
| Per capita energy use | Less than that of an average US citizen but more than that of an average Indian or Brazilian citizen |
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What You'll Learn
China's energy consumption
Nuclear power also plays an increasingly important role in China's energy sector. As of February 2023, China has 55 operational nuclear plants, with 22 under construction and more than 70 planned. About 5% of the country's electricity comes from nuclear energy.
China's energy policy has undergone significant transformations over the last four decades, with a recent emphasis on improving energy efficiency, energy security, and addressing climate change. The country aims to go carbon-neutral by 2060, in line with the Paris climate accord. To achieve this goal, China is promoting a more sustainable economic growth model, encouraging the use of electric vehicles, and transitioning towards a service-based economy.
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Electricity generation sources
China is the world's largest producer and consumer of electricity. In 2021, the country produced 8,534 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, accounting for about 30% of the world's electricity production.
China has been making efforts to transition to cleaner sources of energy. In 2020, Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Party general secretary, announced that China aims to go carbon-neutral by 2060 in accordance with the Paris climate accord.
Coal
Coal has been the primary source of electricity generation in China, contributing 61.7% of the total output in 2021. China has the world's fourth-largest coal reserves. However, the construction of new coal power plants is decreasing due to the realization that too many plants had been built, and some existing plants were underutilized. In 2020, over 40% of plants were estimated to be running at a net loss. Coal-fired power plants are also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and there is a geographical mismatch between the location of coal fields and the demand for electricity.
Renewable and Low-Carbon Energy Sources
Hydropower is China's largest renewable energy source and the second-largest overall after coal. In 2021, China's hydropower capacity reached 391 gigawatts (GW), contributing approximately 15-16% of the country's electricity generation. However, the social and environmental impact of dam construction has been significant, with millions of people forced to relocate and extensive environmental damage.
Wind power is also a growing component of China's renewable energy sources, with 329 GW of wind power capacity at the end of 2021, providing 655,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of wind electricity to the grid. China has identified wind power as a key growth component of the country's economy, with an estimated 2,380 GW of exploitable capacity on land and 200 GW at sea.
Solar energy is another important renewable source, with China being the world's leading installer of solar photovoltaics since 2013 and the largest producer of photovoltaic power since 2015. In 2023, solar power capacity reached 425 GW. The country has set a goal of reaching 1,300 GW of solar capacity by 2050, which would make it the biggest contributor to Chinese electricity demand.
Nuclear energy is also an increasing component of China's electricity sector, with 5% of electricity in the country coming from nuclear energy as of February 2023. China has 55 nuclear plants in operation, 22 under construction, and more than 70 planned.
Other sources of renewable and low-carbon energy include biofuels, which contributed 2.0% of electricity generation in 2021, and natural gas, which contributed 3.0%.
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Access to electricity
In China, the availability of electricity has been a significant factor in the country's development. China has abundant energy reserves, ranking fourth globally in coal reserves, and possesses massive hydroelectric resources. As of 2023, China's total power generation capacity for renewable energy sources was at 53.9%, with the remaining energy mostly coming from coal (1040 GW in 2019). China has also been a leader in the installation of solar photovoltaics since 2013 and is the largest producer of photovoltaic power since 2015. The country aims to reach 1,300 GW of solar capacity by 2050, which would significantly contribute to its electricity demand. Additionally, China has been harnessing wind power, with 329 GW of wind power capacity as of 2021, and recognizes its potential as a key growth component of the economy.
Despite these advancements, China has faced challenges in its electricity sector. In 2011, there were electricity shortages and power outages due to rising coal prices and the regulated price of electricity not matching the increasing costs. China has also faced criticism for its reliance on coal, with the realization that too many coal power plants had been built, leading to some plants operating below capacity and facing financial losses. As a result, China canceled the construction of additional coal power plants and has been transitioning towards low-carbon sources of electricity, including nuclear energy and renewables.
In terms of per capita energy use, Chinese citizens' energy consumption is about half that of citizens in high-income countries like the United States. However, China has been one of the drivers of increased energy consumption in transitioning middle-income countries over the last few decades. While global access to electricity has been steadily rising, with fewer than 1 in 10 people lacking access in recent years, China continues to work towards improving its electricity sector to meet the demands of its growing economy and population.
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Energy consumption vs. electricity consumption
China, the United States, and India accounted for more than half of the global share of electricity consumption in 2022. In the same year, electricity accounted for more than 20% of worldwide final energy consumption.
Electric energy consumption is energy consumption in the form of electrical energy. It is measured in watt-hours (Wh) or kilowatt-hours (kWh). Electricity demand, on the other hand, is measured in kilowatts (kW) and represents the rate at which electricity is used.
China has been the world's leading installer of solar photovoltaics since 2013 and the world's largest producer of photovoltaic power since 2015. In 2017, China was the first country to pass 100 GW of cumulative installed PV capacity. In 2021, China produced 272 TWh of electricity from natural gas. China also has an abundance of wind resources, with an estimated 2,380 GW of exploitable capacity on land and 200 GW at sea. At the end of 2021, there was 329 GW of wind power in China, providing 655,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of wind electricity to the grid.
China also has the world's fourth-largest coal reserves and massive hydroelectric resources. In 2019, coal capacity was at 1040 GW. However, in 2017, the NEA canceled 103 coal power plants, eliminating 120 GW of future coal-fired capacity. As of February 2023, China has 55 nuclear plants in operation, with 22 under construction and more than 70 planned. About 5% of electricity in the country comes from nuclear energy.
China's energy consumption is expected to continue to rise as incomes rise and the population grows.
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China's energy future
China has abundant energy reserves, including the world's fourth-largest coal reserves and substantial hydroelectric resources. However, the country is shifting away from coal towards renewable energy sources. In 2017, the National Energy Administration (NEA) canceled 103 coal power plants, eliminating 120 GW of future coal-fired capacity. As of 2023, China's total power generation capacity for renewable energy sources is 53.9%.
China has been a global leader in the installation of solar photovoltaics since 2013 and the largest producer of photovoltaic power since 2015. The country aims to reach 1,300 GW of solar capacity by 2050, which would be the biggest contributor to Chinese electricity demand. Additionally, China has extensive wind resources, with an estimated 2,380 GW of exploitable capacity on land and 200 GW at sea. By the end of 2021, China had 329 GW of wind power, providing 655,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of wind electricity to the grid.
Nuclear power will also play an increasingly important role in China's energy future. As of February 2023, China has 55 operational nuclear plants, with 22 under construction and more than 70 planned. Nuclear energy currently accounts for about 5% of the country's electricity, and China is transitioning to an accelerating development strategy for nuclear power generation.
China is also a dominant player in the global battery supply chains for lithium, graphite, and cobalt, controlling over 80% of these materials. This dominance has raised concerns among US defense officials, who warn that batteries will be crucial in future military conflicts. China's leadership in electric vehicle manufacturing and battery technology positions it to influence global energy trends and potentially establish itself as a leader in climate action.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are no precise data on the fraction of Chinese citizens with access to electricity, it can be inferred that the majority of Chinese citizens have access to electricity. China is a global leader in the field of natural gas and is one of the world's largest consumers and importers of natural gas. Additionally, China has been making significant strides towards renewable energy sources, with 53.9% of its total power generation capacity coming from renewable sources as of 2023.
The primary sources of electricity in China include coal, oil, gas, nuclear energy, and renewables such as hydropower, solar, and wind power. China has abundant energy reserves, including the world's fourth-largest coal reserves and substantial hydroelectric resources.
Access to electricity is crucial for China's poverty alleviation, economic growth, and improved living standards. It enables activities such as having light at night, washing clothes, cooking meals, running machinery, and connecting with people worldwide.
