Renewable Energy Institute releases today "Progress of China and India in Switching from Coal to Renewables".
China and India are two global economic and demographic heavyweights. To meet the needs of their economies and populations, China and India consume substantial amounts of energy, and especially electricity.
China and India share a common over-reliance on polluting coal power to generate electricity. However, thanks to the enormous economic and technological progress made in renewable energy and batteries in recent years, China and India now have the possibility to reduce their dependence on coal power.
Based on up-to-date data and information, this report explores the challenging but promising switch from coal power to renewable electricity in China and India.
It finds that renewable energy is making great strides in China and India thanks to the cost competitiveness of solar photovoltaic and onshore wind. Moreover, it finds that both countries are visionaries by not only seeking to benefit from the decarbonization of their power systems but also by seizing the economic opportunities offered by the clean energy industrial revolution.
Introduction
Key Findings
Section 1: Eroding Competitiveness of Coal Despite Lack of Political Constraints
1) Coal power still largely dominates for the time being
2) Coal power is economically outcompeted by solar photovoltaic and onshore wind
3) Insufficient policies to drastically reduce coal power
4) Energy security of coal in question
Section 2: Renewable Energy & Batteries for Decarbonization and Prosperity
1) Renewable energy grows much faster than nuclear, mainly thanks to wind and solar
2) Decarbonization policies prioritize renewable energy and evolve
3) The rise of batteries strengthens the integration of renewable energy
4) Seizing the economic opportunities of the clean energy industrial revolution
Conclusion
