China's exploration and utilization of renewable energy remains world No.1 by the end of 2020, providing a strong foundation for the country's energy transition to green and low-carbon, Zhang Jianhua, head of the National Energy Administration, said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
By the end of 2020, China's new-energy installed capacity had reached 930 million kilowatts, accounting for 42.4 percent of the country's total installed power generation capacity, Zhang said.
Specifically, hydropower reached 370 million kilowatts, wind power 280 million kilowatts and photovoltaic (PV) 250 million kilowatts, ranking global No.1 for 16 years, 11 years and six years, respectively, according to Zhang.
Meanwhile, the amount of power generated by renewable energy in China reached 2.2 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2020, accounting for 29.5 percent of the total electricity the whole society used last year. That is 9.5 percentage points increase from 2012.
China has also continuously expanded international cooperation in the sector to contribute to combatting global climate change. The country's hydropower projects are widely distributed in many countries and regions, and Chinese companies provide over 70 percent PV equipment to the international market, Zhang said.
At the same time, China's investment in renewable energy projects in countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to increase and actively promote advanced green energy technologies in less developed countries so as to contribute China wisdom and strength in jointly building the BRI, he said.
As China's targets to reach carbon emissions peak around 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, Zhang said that the country aims to raise new-energy installed capacity to exceed 50 percent of total installed power generation capacity by the end of the 14th Five Year Plan period (2021-25).
Asked whether the country's coal supply can be guaranteed this year, Zhang added that safe supply of energy can be effectively guaranteed, with no likely shortage. "We're confident and able to ensure the country's energy demand," he said.
