China Opens Major Offshore Solar Plant

China has begun producing power from the world’s largest offshore solar power plant. China’s leaders point to its success as proof that the country is working hard to build a green-energy future. 

The large solar park is run by China’s CHN Energy. It sits a few miles off the eastern coast of China. One day, it could produce 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours per year. That's enough to power 2.7 million homes. CHN says it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the Asian country by more than 1.3 million tons every year. Those emissions drive climate change.   

The US has spent billions of dollars on green energy projects under President Biden. Still, the US lags well behind China in solar capacity. China is the most advanced solar society in the world. It has over 600 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar capacity. That saves the country billions of dollars a year over the cost of fossil fuels. By contrast, the US has produced about 130 GW of solar capacity.   

Chinese leaders say this plant is only the start. China aims to have 60 GW of offshore solar by the end of 2027. China also has 61 GW of offshore wind power.  

Advocates for solar and wind worry that the US will fall further behind under the incoming Trump administration. Trump seeks to increase reliance on fossil fuels and has deemed climate change a “hoax.”

Juan Cole wrote that the US can't afford to ignore solar and wind power projects. He's a University of Michigan professor and editor of the website Informed Comment. He claims that sticking with fossil fuels could lead to US decline. “The future is solar panels and electric vehicles.”     

Reflect: What are some ways you and your community could help protect the environment and use energy more wisely?