Experts urge updates to China's renewable energy law

Two decades after the establishment of China's renewable energy law, experts and officials have called for updates to align the legislation with the latest industry developments.

"What was once considered supplementary energy has now become a primary alternative source, with large-scale, market-driven, high-quality stock substitution of renewable energy expected in the near future," said Pan Huimin, deputy director of the department of new energy and renewable energy sources of the National Energy Administration.

With renewable energy now fully integrated into the market and becoming increasingly cost-competitive, the law should be revised accordingly, Pan added.

Speaking at the law's anniversary conference in Beijing on Friday, Li Junfeng, standing director of the China Energy Research Society said, "The renewable energy law demonstrated China's commitment to renewable energy and established a solid legal and institutional framework that has supported the sector's rapid growth since 2005."

The 2005 law outlines China's goals and measures for developing renewable energy, including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, geothermal, ocean energy and other non-fossil energy sources. It also encourages various market entities to contribute to renewable energy development.

Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission established working groups to promote amendments to the renewable energy law and electricity law.

Chen Zhen, deputy director of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association and founder of Sunshine Law Firm, emphasized that the law provides stability and long-term expectations for the sector. "We look forward to the amendments to the law, as they could integrate best practices and policies developed over the past two decades."

Commenting on the shifting global renewable energy landscape, Zou Ji, CEO and president of Energy Foundation China said, "China's experience has shown that developing countries can achieve rapid growth through innovation while minimizing environmental impacts on the global ecosystem."

For example, China's distributed renewable energy network, such as offshore wind farms, offers valuable insights for island and coastal nations, Zou explained.

As of the end of 2024, China's installed capacity for renewable energy power generation reached 1.889 billion kilowatts — 15.46 times that of 2005. The installed capacity of wind and solar power accounted for a combined total of 1.406 billion kW.

In 2024, renewable energy generated over one-third of the country's electricity — 8.62 times the level in 2005 — with wind and solar power contributing a total of 1.83 trillion kilowatt-hours, according to the National Energy Administration.

As a result, renewable energy generation helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2.92 billion metric tons in China, while exports of wind and solar power equipment contributed to an additional 1.05 billion tons of reductions, Pan noted.

Li Shangyi contributed to this story.