HOHHOT — In a significant milestone for China’s energy transition, North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has surpassed 120 million kilowatts of installed new energy capacity, including wind and solar power. This marks the first time the region’s new energy capacity has exceeded its thermal power capacity.
The achievement was reached a year ahead of schedule, following the recent addition of a 1-million-kilowatt photovoltaic project to the grid. As of now, Inner Mongolia’s total installed power capacity stands at 240 million kilowatts, with thermal power capacity at 117 million kilowatts.
Inner Mongolia is rich in renewable energy resources, with wind power potential of 1.46 billion kilowatts—accounting for 57% of the nation’s total. Its solar power potential is also vast, reaching 9.4 billion kilowatts, or 21% of China’s total solar potential.
Currently, the region’s new energy installations generate 270 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually. This output helps reduce coal consumption by 84 million tons and lowers carbon dioxide emissions by over 220 million tons each year.
While Inner Mongolia is a key player in China’s renewable energy push, it remains a major coal producer. The region holds 536.5 billion tons of coal reserves, nearly a third of the national total. In 2023, it produced more than 1.2 billion tons of coal, with about 60% exported and 250 million tons used to fuel thermal power plants locally.
In line with its energy transition goals, Inner Mongolia plans to close three coal mines in 2024, cutting 2.1 million tons of production capacity.
The region has also pioneered innovative approaches in renewable energy and environmental restoration. For example, solar panels have been used in desertification control projects, providing shade and reducing water evaporation to support plant growth. This strategy combines renewable energy development with ecological restoration.
Inner Mongolia’s progress mirrors the broader growth of China’s new energy sector, which has seen rapid expansion in recent years. Since 2013, China’s wind power capacity has grown sixfold, while solar power capacity has surged by more than 180 times. Today, China accounts for over 40% of global annual new energy installations, contributing significantly to global green development.
At a key economic conference earlier this month, China’s policymakers committed to accelerating the green transformation of the nation’s economy. To meet its dual carbon goals, China plans to reduce fossil fuel consumption, speed up the development of new energy systems, and promote the integration of hydro, wind, and solar power.
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