water scarcity

No more power outages: China releases a climate forecast tool for solar and wind energy

The central government announced on Friday that China had created a nationwide climate prediction model for wind and solar resources to help provincial authorities predict energy demand and supply.

The model, which provides information and visual forecasts on key renewable energy supply factors like wind speed and solar radiation as well as demand-side information like the average local temperature, was first released on Thursday and will be made available on a monthly basis, according to a government statement.

China faces unpredictable climate conditions

Since peak demand surges during unusually cold or hot weather have exceeded local power sources, power outages have occurred, posing problems for China’s electric grid system.

Southwest China experienced power outages in August of last year as sweltering temperatures increased household demand for air conditioning and little rainfall decreased output from nearby hydro facilities.

Actually, China has experienced power outages in various parts of the country recently. There are several reasons for these outages, including:

  • Increased demand: The economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has increased industrial activity and electricity consumption in China. This increased demand has put a strain on the power grid, particularly during periods of peak demand.
  • Tightening of coal supply: China has been trying to reduce its dependence on coal and shift to cleaner sources of energy, such as renewables. However, this has led to a tightening of the coal supply and an increase in prices. Some power plants have had to cut back on production or shut down temporarily due to the coal shortage.
  • Extreme weather conditions: China has experienced extreme weather conditions in recent months, including heat waves and floods. These conditions have disrupted power supply and distribution, leading to outages in some areas.
  • Environmental policies: In order to reduce air pollution, China has implemented strict environmental policies that have led to the closure of some coal-fired power plants. This has reduced overall capacity and contributed to power shortages.

To address these issues, the Chinese government has taken steps to increase coal production, import more coal from abroad, and encourage the use of natural gas and renewables. It has also called for more efficient electricity use and warned against wasteful consumption.

China turns to renewables, but they depend on weather

The nation’s shift toward renewable energy sources, which fluctuate based on weather conditions, has worsened this situation. By 2025, China has stated that it wants more than 50% of its electricity to come from renewable sources.

The percentage of renewables in China’s electric grid system is around 30%. This includes wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear energy sources. China has been rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity in recent years to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and meet its commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

China has set a target of having 35% of its electricity generated by non-fossil fuels by 2030, and it is on track to exceed this goal. In 2020 alone, China added more than 71 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, which was more than the total installed capacity in many countries.

Despite this progress, coal still accounts for a significant portion of China’s energy mix, and the country remains the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. China has pledged to peak its carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, which will require an even greater expansion of its renewable energy capacity.