China stops publishing data showing reduced solar power use

Amid growing scrutiny of excess capacity in its renewable energy networks, China has chosen not to publish data on electricity consumption rates by generation source in its latest monthly report.

In the report released Friday, the China Energy Administration only released the average operating hours of all types of power plants from January to May.

Previous data releases have broken down statistics by generation source, including hydroelectric, thermal, nuclear, wind and solar.

Also on AF: China’s new rare earth rules seek details on product traceability

The report did not give a reason for the change and the China Energy Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

But this omission is significant given that recent data has shown a decline in the use of solar and wind power plants, a trend that is expected to continue.

Billions in government subsidies have allowed China’s renewable energy production to expand at breakneck speed, but it has also led to increased electricity production. that the country’s networks cannot handle.

As a result, the country’s grid operators are curtailing renewable energy production, particularly in the case of solar power. Curtailment occurs when grid operators stop a certain amount of supply on the grid to maintain balance with demand.

Meanwhile, the United States and Europe are closely scrutinizing Chinese solar power production, accusing Beijing of flooding the sector with cheap solar panels and cells and distorting the market. Data showing a decline in the use of renewable energy appears to support these accusations.

This is the second time in the past year that China has chosen to stop publishing data highlighting certain problems in the economy.

Last August, China suspended publication of youth unemployment data, which had reached record levels, before resuming reporting in January with a new methodology that excluded students.

Growing restrictions

Energy data released in May showed that the use of solar and wind plants declined between January and April, while the use of hydroelectric and thermal plants increased. This is the latest report to include detailed statistics.

During the first four months of the year, the average operating hours of wind and solar power plants decreased by 77 hours and 42 hours, to reach 789 and 373 hours respectively. The operating hours of hydroelectric power plants increased by 48 hours, to reach 783 hours on average, and those of thermal power plants increased by 23 hours, to reach 1,448 hours.

Wind and solar energy usage rates are expected to fall further after the government relaxed rules on the use of renewable energy in May.

Beijing increased the renewable energy reduction limit from 5% to 10%, while accelerating plans to build ultra-high voltage transmission lines.

The previous limit of 5% was in line with rates of 1.5% to 4% in most major markets, according to the International Energy Agency.

This change should allow more renewable capacity to be built, but at lower utilisation rates.

Average usage hours for all electricity producers surveyed were 1,372 in the first five months of the year, 59 hours less than in the same period of 2023, according to energy bureau data released Friday.

• Reuters, edited by Vishakha Saxena

Read also :

Chinese solar panel makers want Beijing to stop ‘overinvesting’

China’s clean energy spending set to match that of the US and Europe combined by 2024

China solar panel prices fall in 2023, 60% cheaper than in the US

China puts world’s largest solar farm into operation in Xinjiang

China’s solar sector faces years of oversupply and low prices

Cheap Chinese Solar Panels Are Killing European Solar Panel Manufacturers

China’s wind and solar capacity set to surpass coal for first time

Chinese solar companies are paying the price for their global domination – FT