China has officially launched the world’s largest solar plant located in the desert region of Xinjiang with a capacity of over 6 billion kilowatt hours annually. Covering an area of 200,000 acres, equivalent to the size of New York City, the 5GW complex can power a country as large as Luxembourg or Papua New Guinea. China has been a leader in solar power adoption, increasing its capacity by more than 50% in 2023.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) praised China’s commitment to renewable energy, stating that the country’s progress in solar capacity outpaces the rest of the world. With China expected to install more than half of the new global renewable capacity by 2030, the country’s role in meeting international renewable energy goals is crucial. Longi Green Energy Technology estimated that China could power all households in China and Southeast Asia by fitting solar panels on rooftops and buildings.
However, concerns have been raised about overcapacity in the global solar panel market due to China’s increased production. In response to this, US President Joe Biden announced a doubling of tariffs on Chinese solar cell imports from 25% to 50% to prevent a market glut. China’s massive investment in renewable energy is seen as a significant step towards a more sustainable and greener future.