China builds world’s largest wind farms amid parallel coal expansion

In eastern China, vast wind farms stretch across coastlines and offshore waters, showcasing the country’s unprecedented investment in renewable energy. The Chinese Communist Party has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into wind power, making China home to some of the largest turbines and installations in the world. Yet, while these colossal projects symbolise a new energy future, they exist alongside a steady expansion of coal.

World’s biggest wind projects
China’s east coast, from Jiangsu to Shandong, is now dotted with giant turbines, some reaching heights of over 260 metres with blades longer than a football field. These mega-projects are designed to generate enough electricity to power millions of homes, cementing China’s position as the global leader in wind capacity. In 2024 alone, China added more wind power than the United States has in total.

Billions invested in renewables
The scale of China’s renewable investment is unmatched. Authorities have committed more than $500 billion to clean energy projects in recent years, with wind power receiving a central share. The Communist Party views wind and solar not only as tools for decarbonisation but also as industries critical to China’s technological leadership and economic growth. Offshore wind, in particular, has become a showcase for engineering ambition and state-backed financing.

Coal remains in the mix
Despite these record-breaking investments, coal power remains on the rise. Regional governments have approved dozens of new coal-fired plants, citing concerns about energy shortages and industrial demand. This dual track — building wind farms at record pace while expanding coal — has led to questions about China’s long-term ability to meet its pledge of carbon neutrality by 2060.

Balancing act with global impact
Beijing’s challenge is clear: it must keep its economy running smoothly while reducing emissions. Analysts say the growth of wind energy demonstrates what is possible when state resources are mobilised at scale. However, the simultaneous coal expansion risks slowing global progress on climate targets, given China’s role as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

Sidebar: China’s energy capacity (2025)

• Wind: ~490 GW (largest in the world)
• Solar: ~600 GW (largest in the world)
• Coal: ~1,100 GW (still dominant in power generation)
• Renewables combined: now over half of installed capacity, but coal provides the bulk of actual electricity generation

Newshub Editorial in Asia – 26 September 2025