China's renewable energy use ranks top in the world

A wind farm in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. China's investment in clean energy in 2014 hit a record $89.5 billion, accounting for 29 percent of the world's total. [Photo/China Daily]

China ranks the top in the world in terms of the use of renewable energy with the increasing switch to renewable energy resources, said senior official on Saturday.

China's renewable energy generation capacity reached 430 million kilowatts by the end of 2014, accounting for 32 percent of the country's total power capacity, said Shi Lishan, deputy director general of the New and Renewable Energy Department of the National Energy Administration during the fifth session of the International Renewable Energy Agency Assembly held in Abu Dhabi.

According to Shi, China's renewable power generation was 1.2 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2014, accounting for 22 percent of the country's total power consumption in the last year.

China became a member of IRENA in January 2013, a milestone in international efforts to double the share of renewable energy worldwide by 2030.

Shi said China will strengthen communication on projects and technology in renewable energy industries with other member countries and regions.

"China will also make efforts to support underdeveloped countries' renewable energy development," Shi said.

Adnan Amin, director-general of IRENA, said China's renewable power generation costs including that of solar and wind energy have significantly reduced, which will help the country to improve its energy structure in the long run."