9 September 2025China’s surge in renewables and whole-economy electrification is rapidly reshaping energy choices for the rest of the world, creating the conditions for a decline in global fossil fuel use.Authors Editor Editorial consultant Manager : Muyi Yang, Biqing Yang, Sam Butler-Sloss, Euan Graham: Richard Black: Xunpeng Shi: Aditya LollaChinaEnergy Transition Review 2025This report analyses China’s progress towards a clean energy future, explores the reasons why it is accelerating and deepening, and sets out some implications for the rest of the world. It draws on data from Chinese government sources, international organisations such as the International Energy Agency and Ember itself, together with insights from structured expert interviews. The analysis highlights important trends in sectors such as renewable generation and electrification of sectors such as industry, buildings and transport, and analyses the underlying drivers. It then examines how trade with China, China’s energy diplomacy and business support are driving clean energy progress particularly in emerging economies. This report is Ember’s first comprehensive review of China’s clean energy progress and its implications for the rest of the world, undertaken because of China’s centrality to the global transition.2About3HighlightsBattery storage investment in China rose 69% from H1 2024 to H1 2025, while grid investment rose 22%. China accounts for 31% of global clean energy investment.Projected Chinese solar manufacturing capacity in 2030 (1,255 GW) is 65% higher than global solar rollout in 2030 in the IEA’s Net Zero Roadmap (761 GW)Clean generation growth led by solar and wind met 84% of China’s electricity demand growth in 2024. In ...
