China leads in renewable energy capacity at 895 gigawatts

Larger than next 5 countries combined

The world’s total installed renewable energy amounted to almost 2,800 Gigawatts in 2020. According to data presented by TradingPlatforms.com, China has an installed renewable energy capacity of 895 gigawatts - larger than the next 5 nations combined.

China Accounts For Nearly a Third of the World’s Installed Renewable Energy Capacity

China has set itself apart as the world’s leader in renewable energy. In 2020, China accounted for nearly a third (32%) of the world’s installed renewable energy capacity with 895 Gigawatts. The next on the list is the US with a distant 292 Gigawatts. In fact, the next five countries on the list after China had a combined capacity that is less than China’s.

The US, Brazil, India, Germany and Canada had a combined capacity of 809 Gigawatts in 2020. Japan was the only other country to have a capacity greater than 100 gigawatts, while Italy and France both had capacities of 55 Gigawatts in 2020 to close out the top 10.

Renewable Energy Experiencing Steady Growth Across The Board

Total renewable energy capacity increased by 10% YoY in 2020 from 2538 Gigawatts to 2799. From 2015-2020 Total installed renewable energy capacity grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.67%. Several various types of renewable energy also experienced varying levels of growth.

In 2020 Hydro Energy, Bioenergy and Geothermal energy all experienced modest growth of between 1% and 2%. However, both Wind and Solar energy experienced significant YoY growth in 2020. Wind energy experienced an almost 18% YoY growth, while Solar had a YoY growth of 21.6%

Rex Pascual, editor at TradingPlatforms.com, commented;

“Renewable energy continues to break deeper into the mainstream and has steadily increased its share of the world’s total power production in recent times. China has set a high benchmark for other nations in its quest to be the world’s primary source of renewable energy, a feat it is so far accomplishing.”