China adds 10.6 gigawatts solar capacity in 2014

BEIJING: China added 10.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity in 2014, accounting for one fifth of the world total, as the country plans to increase its share of non-fossil fuels, authorities here said today.

China's cumulative installed capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) power reached 28.05 GW by the end of 2014, up 60 per cent year on year, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA).

Of the cumulative installed capacity, 23.38 GW came from solar power stations and 4.67 GW from distributed solar projects, NEA said.

China has been working to increase its share of non-fossil fuels in the power matrix, including hydropower, wind power, solar power and nuclear power, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The State Council released an action plan on energy development for 2014-2020 last November, promising more efficient, self-sufficient, green and innovative energy production and consumption.

According to the annual government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang last Thursday, the Chinese government plans to reduce energy intensity, or units of energy per unit of GDP, by 3.1 per cent in 2015.