China's Renewable Energy Expansion Faces Weather-Related Risks, Storage Solutions Needed

China's growing reliance on wind, solar, and hydropower increases grid vulnerability to weather-related power shortages.

A study by Dalian University of Technology projects that extreme weather in 2060 could reduce power generation capacity by 12%, leading to shortages.

In 2030, shortages could reach 400 terawatt hours, nearly 4% of total energy demand.

Expanding inter-provincial electricity transmission infrastructure could eliminate current shortage risks and halve them by 2060.

China is building 190 gigawatts of pumped hydro storage to mitigate hydropower droughts.

Past power shortages have spurred the construction of more coal-fired power plants, hindering carbon neutrality goals.