China, the global leader in renewable energy generation, is making significant strides in constructing new wind and solar farms. However, a recent report by the U.S.-based think tank Global Energy Monitor (GEM) suggests that progress is slower for China's showcase wind and solar ‘mega' bases, which present technical challenges and stricter requirements.
By the end of last year, China had already installed an impressive 365 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity and 392 GW of solar capacity, accounting for about one-third of the world's total renewable energy capacity.
According to GEM's report, China is expected to reach a combined total of 1,200 GW of wind and solar energy by 2025, surpassing the government's target by five years. This achievement can be attributed to generous subsidies and a low-cost supply chain, facilitating the rapid growth of renewable energy in the country. GEM's outlook aligns with that of the International Energy Agency.
However, GEM highlights that progress is facing challenges with regard to China's ambitious ‘mega' base projects. These projects entail the construction of gigawatt-scale wind and solar energy parks in remote regions, making them technically more complex and subject to stricter requirements.
China's National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC), the state planner, announced plans in 2021 to build 97 GW of large-scale solar and wind projects in sparsely-populated northwestern regions like Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. These projects are set to be completed between 2022 and 2023. Additionally, in 2022, the NDRC set a second target to build an additional 200 GW of capacity in even larger bases by 2025.
While the initial round of smaller projects is expected to be completed on schedule, GEM suggests that the second batch will pose greater challenges in terms of meeting deadlines. Among the four main desert energy bases, which have a combined planned capacity of 119 GW by 2025, only 1 GW of solar components are currently under construction. The rest of the projects are still in the feasibility study or permitting stages, according to GEM's findings.
Dorothy Mei, project manager at GEM, explained that the application requirements for the second batch of projects have become noticeably more stringent. In addition to planning, approval, and construction delays, these new bases must also address peak load management and grid integration, necessitating the utilization of energy storage technologies.
However, Mei added that the Chinese government is likely to intervene and expedite the process. As China remains committed to its renewable energy goals, measures may be implemented to overcome the challenges faced by the mega wind and solar bases, ensuring their successful completion.
In conclusion, while China continues to lead in renewable energy capacity, the construction of mega wind and solar bases presents unique obstacles. Nevertheless, with the government's commitment and potential intervention, these challenges are expected to be addressed, further advancing China's renewable energy sector.
