China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, installed record renewable energy capacities last year, according to official data released this Tuesday.
The country added around 277 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity in 2024, surpassing the 217 GW added in 2023, as reported by the National Energy Administration (NEA). Similarly, it expanded its wind power capacity by about 80 GW, also more than the previous year (76 GW).
With this, the total installed capacity of solar and wind energy stands at 887 GW and 521 GW respectively, 15% above the 1,200 GW target set for 2030 by President Xi Jinping.
China’s commitment to carbon neutrality
Beijing aims to reach its peak CO2 emissions in 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, but it is also the country that has been rapidly increasing its energy production capacity from renewable sources for years.
China is installing more solar and wind energy capacity than the rest of the world combined. It invested over $50 billion in this area from 2011 to 2022, according to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Installation of renewable energies in Argentina
The generation of renewable energy in Argentina reached an unprecedented milestone by closing the year 2024 with the highest production of clean energy in its history. This progress was mainly driven by wind and solar projects, which consolidated sustained growth in the sector and surpassed all production recorded in 2023 in just 11 months.
According to the report from the Wholesale Electricity Market Administrator Company (Cammesa), November was the standout month for the renewable segment, with a total generation of 2,249 GWh. This monthly record also marked the third consecutive month in which production exceeded 2,000 GWh, an unprecedented figure in the sector.
The wind segment was the largest contributor, with a generation of 1,539 GWh, surpassing the historical record set in September. This increase represented an 8% rise compared to October, consolidating wind farms as leaders in the national energy transition.
On the other hand, the solar segment also broke records. With a production of 446 GWh in November, it recorded its second consecutive month of historical highs, increasing its performance by 11% compared to the previous month. This progress positions the country as a prominent player in regional photovoltaic generation.
Renewable hydropower plants, with a capacity of less than 50 MW, also made a significant contribution. During November, these plants generated 173 GWh, marking a 30% increase compared to October. This level was only surpassed in March, highlighting their key role in the renewable energy matrix.
Additionally, biogas and biomass plants contributed 42 GWh and 49 GWh, respectively. A panorama is completed where the diversity of renewable sources was essential to achieve this record.
In the annual total, between January and November 2024, renewable generation reached 20,679 GWh, an increase of 13% compared to the same period the previous year. This performance highlights the impact of the new installed capacity and the continuous development of renewable projects.
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