China to add 300 GW of wind, solar power capacity in 2026: report

China is expected to add around 300 gigawatts of new wind and solar power capacity in 2026, with renewables continuing to drive the country’s green and low-carbon energy transition, according to the China Renewable Energy Development Report released on Friday.

The report shows that China’s newly installed renewable power generation capacity reached another record high in 2025, accounting for more than 60 percent of global additions.

The country’s total installed renewable energy capacity surpassed 2,337 gigawatts in 2025, while renewables accounted for 82.7 percent of newly installed power capacity, according to the report.

Newly installed distributed solar photovoltaic capacity exceeded 100 gigawatts for the second straight year, accompanied by marked improvements in regional power grid absorption and clean energy utilization.

China's electricity generation from renewable sources reached about 4,000 terawatt-hours. Both wind and photovoltaic power generation crossed the 1,000 terawatt-hours threshold, each contributing more than 10 percent to the country's total power output.

"In 2025, wind and solar power installations achieved leapfrog growth, with the cumulative installed capacity of wind and solar power historically surpassing that of thermal power, further accelerating the pace of power structure transformation. New business forms such as zero-carbon industrial parks, green power direct supply, wind-solar hydrogen production, and photovoltaic-based desert control accelerated their popularization, as clean energy gradually permeated various sectors of the economy and society," said Yi Yuechun, general manager of the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute.

This year, China's new energy sector will continue following the core path that combines onshore and offshore development, centralized and distributed projects, multiple energy sources working together, and integrated growth. The country will accelerate the construction of renewable energy bases in deserts, the Gobi and other arid areas, while coordinating ecological governance. Offshore wind power projects will also be pushed forward in an orderly manner.

In addition to the expected growth in wind and solar power, China is planning to add more than 50 gigawatts of new grid-connected energy storage capacity in 2026.

"During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China will prioritize the commencement of a series of deep-sea offshore wind power projects, steadily advance major hydropower projects, actively and orderly develop pumped storage hydropower, and accelerate the planning and construction of integrated wind-solar-hydro power bases along major river basins. The green electricity market will continue to be cultivated and expanded. By 2035, the share of non-fossil energy in China's total primary energy consumption is targeted to reach more than 30 percent, with the combined installed capacity of wind and solar power striving to reach 3,600 gigawatts," said Liu Deshun, chief engineer of the National Energy Administration.

China to add 300 GW of wind, solar power capacity in 2026: report

The European Union (EU) on Saturday urged Israel to reopen all Gaza border crossings to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance and early recovery support at scale.

In a statement published by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU reiterated its grave concern over the persistent and devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It said the severe flooding and winter conditions impacting the enclave are further aggravating the living conditions of an already exhausted population, exacerbating unsafe conditions and human suffering.

The statement noted that a year after the ceasefire was announced, military strikes continue and shortages of essential items persist due to restricted access, resulting in the absence of acceptable and dignified living conditions.

The EU urged Israel to enable the work of the United Nations and its agencies, and humanitarian organizations, including non-governmental organizations, and to comply with all its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The bloc underlined the need to respect international law, including international humanitarian law, at all times, particularly the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as medical personnel and facilities. It described the recent airstrike on Nasser Hospital as "deeply alarming."

Reaffirming its commitment to the two-state solution, the EU called on all actors to fully implement the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 without delay, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international political and legal principles, in particular the permanent decommissioning of weapons from Hamas and other non-state armed groups, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the civilian transition in Gaza.

The statement stressed that Hamas should not have any role in the future governance of Gaza.

On Nov. 7, Gaza's civil defense authorities declared a state of maximum emergency as a rainstorm flooded around 70,000 tents housing displaced Palestinians and overwhelmed rescue services.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 1.4 million Palestinians, or 65 percent of Gaza's population, were living in tents or makeshift shelters. It warned that humanitarian shelter stocks inside Gaza were virtually exhausted, while more than 150,000 tents remained outside the territory awaiting entry. However, Israel says it restricts certain materials over concerns that Hamas could use them for military purposes.

EU urges Israel to reopen all Gaza crossings, allow unimpeded humanitarian aid