China Increased Wind Power Capacity By 41% In 2012

China has just announced 41% growth in wind power generation in 2012, a massive leap toward its clean energy target for 2015.

According to the National Energy Administration, China’s total wind power production for 2012 reached 11.8 billion kilowatt hours. Grid-connected capacity increased from 47.8 gigawatts in 2011 to 62.7 gigawatts in 2012, a 31% increase.

“Renewable energy development and installations have become a proven, key part of China’s efforts to decarbonize its economy,” said Changhua Wu, Greater China Director at The Climate Group. “Challenges remain today that need to be addressed, but the progress so far made by the world’s second-largest economy is exciting and encouraging.”

China’s current goal is to install 100 gigawatts of grid-connected wind energy by 2015 and produce 190 billion kilowatt hours. There is also a solar power goal in place for 2015, which the country has recently raised from 21 gigawatts to 35 gigawatts. These big jumps in clean energy are a great indication that China is on the right track to meeting and even exceeding these goals.

Image CC licensed by Land Rover Our Planet: A Windfarm in Ningxia Province, Northern China