Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant discrepancy between reported renewable energy utilization rates and the actual experiences of industry stakeholders, highlighting a concerning decline in utilization rates despite rapid increases in installed capacity [1][2][3]. Group 1: Renewable Energy Utilization Rates - As of April 2025, national wind and solar utilization rates were reported at 92.4% and 94.0%, respectively, down 3.7 and 3.1 percentage points year-on-year [1]. - For the first four months of 2025, the overall wind and solar utilization rates were 93.2% and 93.9%, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 2.9 and 2.4 percentage points [1]. - The reported utilization rates contrast sharply with the experiences of industry players, who believe that the actual issues of wind and solar curtailment are significantly underestimated [3][4]. Group 2: Installed Capacity Growth - In April 2025, nearly 50 GW of new solar capacity was added, marking a 215% year-on-year increase, while the total new solar capacity for the first four months reached 104.9 GW, a 75% increase [2]. - The rapid growth in installed capacity has raised concerns about the ability of the grid to accommodate such increases, leading to a decline in utilization rates [9][10]. Group 3: Limitations and Challenges - The average curtailment rate for renewable energy plants reached 17% in the first quarter of 2025, with some regions experiencing rates as high as 30-50% [3][4]. - The discrepancy in utilization rates is attributed to different statistical methodologies, with the official rates only considering system-related curtailments, which do not account for other factors leading to underutilization [6][12]. Group 4: Policy Implications - The government has previously set a utilization rate "red line" at 95%, but this has been adjusted to 90% to allow for more renewable projects and installations [12][13]. - There is ongoing debate about whether to maintain or further relax this red line, especially as many regions are already falling below the new threshold [13][14]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The article suggests that without improvements in grid infrastructure and management, the decline in renewable energy utilization rates may continue, potentially undermining China's renewable energy goals [14][15]. - Experts advocate for a shift from merely increasing installed capacity to enhancing the ability of the grid to effectively integrate and utilize renewable energy [14].
下滑的新能源利用率：死守还是放宽消纳“红线”？
3 6 Ke·2025-06-05 04:07