In its transition to a low-carbon economy, China has made notable progress in the field of clean energy.

　　Its installed capacity of renewable energy has broken the milestone of one billion kWs in 2021, reaching 1.06 billion kWs, according to the latest data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on January 28.

　　Among them, the installed wind power and photovoltaic power capacity both surpassed 300 million kWs, with offshore wind power installations rising to first in the world.

　　To achieve the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, China saw steady growth in its renewable energy capacity last year, said a spokesperson from NEA at an online press conference, adding that it is a good start for the high-quality development of renewable energy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

　　By the end of 2021, the renewable energy capacity has accounted for 44.8 percent of the country's total installed power generation capacity.

　　Divided by energy source, the installed capacity of hydro, wind, and solar power stood at 391 million, 328 million and 306 million kWs respectively, accounting for 16.5 percent, 13.8 percent and 12.9 percent correspondingly.

　　In 2021, the country generated 2.48 trillion kWh of electricity from renewable energy sources, accounting for 29.8 percent of its total electricity consumption.

　　Meanwhile, the energy utilization rate of renewable energy resources maintained at a high level.

　　Last year, the hydropower utilization rate in the country's main river systems reached 97.0 percent, up 1.5 percentage points year-over-year.

　　According to an action plan released by the State Council last October, approximately 40 gigawatts of additional hydro power capacity will be installed during both the 14th and 15th Five-Year Plan periods.

　　China is a clean energy powerhouse and has played a leading role in many of the world's success stories to date, from solar power to electric vehicles, said Fatih Birol, executive director of IEA, in a report.

　　China's efforts to achieve the ambition of carbon neutrality will result in even greater flourishing across a wider array of low-carbon technologies and a significant decline in fossil fuel use in the coming decades, added Birol.