China could produce 16 to 26% of its energy from renewables by 2030, according to a joint study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the China National Renewable Energy Centre.
“To reach that point, there would need to be an investment of about $145 billion per year from now until 2030,” Greentech Media reports. “But that investment would bring savings of between $55 billion and $228 billion annually in health benefits and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.”
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The projection shows China producing 561 gigawatts of electricity from wind and 309 gigawatts from solar. But even with a boom in renewables, IRENA projects that China’s coal requirements by 2030 will be similar to today’s.
“China’s energy use is expected to increase 60% by 2030,” said IRENA Director-General Adnan Amin. “How China meets that need will determine whether or not the world can curb climate change.”
