It installed more renewables than new nuclear and fossil-fuel capacity for the first time, becoming the global leader in installed wind and trailing only Germany for cumulative PV capacity.

Economic growth, energy security and China’s thirst for low-carbon energy to combat its dire pollution problem have placed renewables at the heart of the government’s current five-year plan. The country is struggling to meet its target of reducing carbon intensity by 17% from 2010 levels by next year, and it may face further binding carbon targets in the next five-year plan.

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