State Council Issues New Directive: Comprehensive Advancement of Large-Scale Wind and Solar Power Development and Base Construction

On October 26, the official website of the Chinese government released the Notice of the State Council on Issuing the Action Plan for Carbon Peaking Before 2030 (Guo Fa [2021] No. 23).

This document outlines China’s key strategies and targets for achieving its carbon peaking goals by 2030. According to the plan, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, significant progress is expected in optimizing the country’s industrial and energy structures. Energy efficiency in major industries will improve considerably, coal consumption will be strictly controlled, and the construction of a new type of power system will accelerate. Alongside this, China aims to achieve meaningful advances in the research, development, and application of green and low-carbon technologies, as well as promote environmentally friendly production methods and lifestyles. The policy framework supporting green, low-carbon, and circular economic development will also be further refined. By 2025, the share of non-fossil energy in total consumption is targeted to reach around 20%, while energy consumption per unit of GDP is to decrease by 13.5%, and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP are to fall by 18% compared to 2020, laying a solid foundation for meeting the carbon peaking target.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the plan anticipates major breakthroughs in industrial restructuring, the initial establishment of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system, and the formation of low-carbon development models in key sectors. Energy efficiency in major energy-consuming industries is expected to reach internationally advanced standards, the share of non-fossil energy consumption will continue to rise, and coal consumption will gradually decline. Additionally, critical technological breakthroughs in green and low-carbon fields will be achieved, while green lifestyles are expected to become the conscious choice of the public. By then, a sound and comprehensive policy framework for supporting green, low-carbon, and circular development should be essentially in place. By 2030, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption is set to rise to around 25%, with carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP projected to drop by over 65% compared to 2005 — achieving China’s carbon peaking goal ahead of schedule.

The plan emphasizes the need to integrate carbon peaking objectives into every aspect and stage of the country’s economic and social development. It highlights ten priority actions, including promoting a green and low-carbon energy transition, improving energy efficiency, advancing low-carbon development in industries, urban and rural construction, and transport, promoting a circular economy, accelerating green technology innovation, enhancing carbon sink capacities, and encouraging a nationwide shift towards green, low-carbon living. A key component of the strategy is to vigorously develop renewable energy sources, comprehensively promoting the large-scale, high-quality development of wind and solar power. The government plans to pursue both centralized and distributed generation models, speed up the construction of wind and photovoltaic power bases, and upgrade the smart photovoltaic industry through innovation and the development of specialized applications. It also encourages the diversification of photovoltaic deployment through new “PV+” models.

In parallel, balanced development of both onshore and offshore wind power will be promoted, with accelerated, coordinated expansion of projects and further refinement of the offshore wind power industry chain, including the construction of dedicated offshore wind farms. The plan supports the development of solar thermal power generation and the creation of integrated renewable energy bases combining solar thermal, photovoltaic, and wind power for complementary energy supply. Additionally, it calls for localized development of biomass power generation, clean biomass heating, and biogas projects, while exploring the deeper development and utilization of geothermal, wave, tidal, and ocean thermal energy. To support these goals, the renewable energy consumption guarantee mechanism will be further improved. By 2030, China aims for its total installed capacity for wind and solar power generation to surpass 1.2 billion kilowatts (1,200 GW), marking a significant step forward in its clean energy ambitions.