China's world-leading renewable megabases rely on coal-heavy transmission, report finds

A worker makes a quality-check on a solar module at a factory of a monocrystalline silicon solar equipment manufacturer LONGi Green Technology Co, in Xian, Shaanxi province, China.(Photo: Reuters)

BEIJING - China ⁠is building more large-scale wind ​and solar than the rest of the world combined, but inadequate ​transmission links and a continued ‌reliance on coal-fired power are limiting its use, according to a report published on Tuesday.

Wind and solar make up around 20% of the power sent through China's ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission network, little changed ​since 2021, ⁠while 42% is from coal, the Global Energy Monitor said.