China’s Record Renewables Buildout Is Wasting Power as Grid Lags

China’s breakneck expansion of renewable power continues to set records — but an increasing amount of that wind and solar energy is being wasted because the grid isn’t up to scratch.

In the first half, the curtailment rate for solar rose to 5.7%, from 3% in the same period last year, according to the National Energy Administration. For wind, it was 6.6%, versus 3.9% in the first six months of 2024.