Eve here. This post shows the interesting point that China uses more electricity in its ultimate energy consumption than any other longest economy, but it is incorrect to assume that this directly means less fossil fuel usage. The chart in the article below shows that coal is the largest source of China’s power generation.
Alex Kimani, a veteran financial writer, investor, engineer and researcher at SafeHaven.com. Originally published on Oulprice
China is leading the world of electrification, with a 30% electrification rate (US and EU at ~22%) dominating sectors such as transportation and industry. Large-scale investments in electric vehicles, high-speed rails and renewable energy list China as a superpower of clean energy technology, with renewables currently accounting for 10% of GDP. The Complicas climate goal for China’s continued coal expansion is because the country is the largest greenhouse gas emitter and raises doubts about the timeline of the transition.
Many people are probably families with the term “Petrostate.” This usually indicates oil-rich countries that are deeply intertwined with the oil industry. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Iran are some of the world’s leading petrosts. But with the world’s electrified drive now in full gear, scientists have coined the term “static electricity” and referencing countries that are shifting from the matrices and technology that lead to electrically driven alternatives on fossil fuels.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electrification is “one of the most important strategies for restructuring carbon emissions from energy.” And like many other scientific sands, China has emerged as a leading country in the electrification race ahead of the US and Europe.
Research shows that China’s electrification rate has reached 30%, moving significantly ahead of the US, the EU and the US.
In this study, electrification rate is defined as the percentage of electricity in the concentration of energy from fossil fuels and final energy. Research shows that the United States remains the world’s leading leader in building electrification. However, China has recently caught up with the US and Europe in industrial electrification, overtaking both in electrification of transportation. In 2024, electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for approximately 47.9% of total passenger car sales in China. This is a heage increase since 2020, when plug-in EVs occurred at just 6.3% of total sales. In comparison, electric vehicles accumulated in less than 23% of new car sales in Europe in the time frame.
The rapid expansion of China’s modern railway network also helped to replenish electrification in the country’s transportation sector. China is a rail network that is 45,000 km tall and five times the size of the EU. That figure has expanded to 60,000km by 2030.
Source: Climate Energy Finance
Chinese President Xi Jinping is largely praised for the country’s incredible electrification journey. When Xi became the leader of Chine Communist Dey in 2012,
China was emerging with the world’s second belt economy and the US conference nuclear power generation. However, the country still relied heavily on other countries for its energy needs. China’s oil and coal imports are surged, displaying countries that have hit highs and showcase potential supply disruption amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Fast forward to the present, China not only moves rapidly towards energy security, but also controls the key minerals that support future technologies.
“We are pleased to announce that Andrew Gilholm, China analysis manager for risk at consulting firms,” said: “On the other hand, China you’ve been working on it for years.”
China is currently leading the 4th Industrial Revolution, making harge advances in electrification, renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and the Internet of Things. And just as oil and gas promote gasoline in the Arab world, clean energy technology is driving growth in China.
As you please, renewable energy was generated at 10% of China’s GDP record in 2024, revealing a quarter of the economic expansion, the Centre for Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
Beyond energy security and economic growth, electrification is experienced to play an important role in dealing with climate change.
“Without mass electrification, we don’t see any way to a zero carbon economy,” said Lord Adair Turner, head of the Energy Transport Committee.
This is especially important for China, reminiscent of the world’s largest polluters and greenhouse gas emitters. China’s electricity sector problems reached record highs last year due to a surge in coal consumption. However, the progress of electrification countries and the shift to renewable energy can be used to mitigate damage.
Coal is a controversial topic in China, indicating that Beijing will begin phased out coal consumption between 2006 and 2030. However, recent reports show that China is still building new coal plants, raising questions about its commitment to phase out coal use. Reuters reported on China’s plan to continue building coal-fired power plants until 2030.
