Trend China is driving the rise of the electrostate

Summary

This trend describes China becoming the world's first electrostate, an economy and society that rely increasingly on renewable power rather than fossil fuels. Some 65 per cent of the solar and wind capacity added worldwide in 2024 came from China. It aims for renewables to supply more than half of its electricity by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2040. Its investment in renewable energy far exceeds that of any other country, and in 2025 its energy-sector emissions began to fall despite rising consumption. Chinese technology is also speeding up electrification in other countries. Sitra expects this to strengthen China's lead in clean technology and reshape the global energy economy.