China aims to reach 1.8 billion metric tons of annual renewable energy consumption by 2030 under its new 15th Five-Year Plan.
China's top economic and energy regulators have established a strategic framework to boost annual renewable energy consumption to approximately 1.8 billion metric tons of standard coal equivalent by 2030. The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration released the 15th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development, which focuses on high-quality expansion and reliable fossil-fuel substitution. Under this blueprint, the nation's total installed renewable power capacity is projected to reach 3.5 billion kilowatts, generating roughly 6 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Wind and solar power will serve as the primary drivers, expected to account for over 50 percent of the nation's total installed power capacity. To address weather dependency, the plan mandates an 8 percent average firm capacity ratio for wind and solar installations equipped with energy storage by 2030. Additionally, the roadmap prioritizes non-electric applications, such as green hydrogen and biomass energy, to replace 150 million tons of standard coal equivalent annually. The plan also targets technological breakthroughs in perovskite tandem solar cells and deep-sea floating wind platforms to ensure long-term energy security.