China's role in energy transition highlighted

The surge in renewable energy has topped Science's list of breakthroughs for 2025 released online on Friday Beijing time, with China's pivotal role in the transition from traditional to green energy being highlighted.

The journal attributed this recognition to the prospect that "the continued growth of renewables now seems unstoppable" in many countries, marking a significant shift as renewable energy begins to overtake conventional energy on multiple fronts.

"China's mighty industrial engine is the driver. After years of patiently nurturing the sector through subsidies, China now dominates global production of renewable energy technologies," Science said.

It noted that China produces 80 percent of the world's solar cells, 70 percent of its wind turbines and 70 percent of its lithium batteries, at prices no competitor can match.

Chen Wei, a professor at the National Science Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which is located in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, highlighted the significance of renewable energy topping the list.

Unlike past recognitions focusing on specific achievements like drug development or space telescopes, this highlights a synergistic effect of scientific progress, industrialization and social transition, with profound significance for global energy transformation, economic development and climate governance.

"In recent years, many countries have emphasized energy security by focusing on exploiting and utilizing local renewable energy sources instead of relying on fossil fuels," Chen said.

He highlighted that this year marked "a major transition point for renewables", as they surpassed coal as the largest source of electricity worldwide for the first time.

He also cited ambitious plans from various countries and regions, including the European Union's aim to increase the share of renewables to 45 percent in its total energy consumption by 2030, and Japan's plan to increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity supply to 40 to 50 percent by 2040.

"In China, wind and photovoltaic power generation have become the main contributors to the increase in total power generation, with the share of renewables accounting for 40 percent of total electricity generation and 60 percent of industrial electricity consumption in the first three quarters of 2025," he added.

However, this year's United Nations climate change conference (COP30), which recently concluded in Belem, Brazil, witnessed significant changes in global climate governance. For the first time in 30 years, the United States did not send high-level representatives, Chen said.

"In this context, the emphasis of Science journal on renewable energy reflects the positive leading role of the scientific community in global development trends," Chen said, adding that China's proposal to cut carbon emissions by 10 percent within a decade showcases its responsibility as a major country.

Ma Jun, founding director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, a Beijing-based non-profit environmental organization, echoed Chen's views by emphasizing China's global leadership in the energy transition through large-scale renewable energy development and accelerated electrification efforts.

"The recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) put forward the establishment of an energy powerhouse, dedicated to continuing to raise the share of new energy in the energy supply, a Chinese commitment for global carbon reduction and a green contribution to global low-carbon transition," Ma said.

"China has achieved notable progress in the photovoltaic, wind power and energy storage sectors, effectively reducing costs to make these technologies accessible globally," he said, adding that success in electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar cells has provided viable green products for developing countries, particularly in the Global South, enabling them to follow China's model of integrating environmental protection and climate actions with economic growth.

Li Meicheng, dean of the school of new energy at the Beijing-based North China Electric Power University, said the global consensus on energy transition has made green power development a major trend.

"This has spurred huge demand for renewable energy installations in China and internationally, requiring technological innovation and talent development," Li said.