China reports 2.01 TW of installed solar and wind capacity by September

What happened

China’s installed solar and wind capacity totalled 2.01 TW at the end of September, according to figures cited from the National Energy Administration. Solar represented 1.31 TW of that total, with wind accounting for a further 700 GW.

Generation capacity across China’s power system, including all technologies, was reported at 4.13 TW. From January through September, wind and solar produced 1,933.3 TWh of electricity. This was 193.7 TWh above output in the same nine-month period of 2025.

The update places the combined wind and solar fleet at close to half of national generating capacity on a nameplate basis. Capacity figures, however, should be distinguished from actual electricity production: the generation data provide the clearer indication of the sources’ contribution to supply over the period.

Why it matters

Wind and solar accounted for 64% of the increase in China’s electricity demand during the first nine months. The data therefore indicate that the expansion of these technologies was not only increasing installed capacity, but also meeting a substantial portion of additional consumption.

During midday hours on the hottest summer days, the two sources supplied 40% of electricity demand. That contribution is relevant to assessments of system operation during periods when cooling demand is high and power-system adequacy is under pressure.

For companies following China’s electricity market, the figures offer a benchmark for the scale at which variable renewable generation is being integrated into a large and growing power system. They also underline the importance of tracking generation, demand growth and seasonal output alongside capacity additions.

What to watch next

The next data releases will show whether wind and solar maintain a similarly large share of additional electricity demand beyond the September reporting point. Market participants should compare future capacity additions with changes in generation, particularly through high-demand summer periods, rather than relying on installed-capacity totals alone.