People's Daily | What can we learn from the rise of wind and solar power?

Driving from Beijing to Caofeidian District, Tangshan, Hebei Province, along the coastal highway, one will see a vast expanse of wind turbines standing tall. Under the blue sky and by the azure sea, the huge white blades rotate ceaselessly, and the wind turbines operate continuously.

This brings to mind a piece of news: In the first quarter of this year, China's installed capacity of wind and solar power reached 1.482 billion kilowatts, historically surpassing that of thermal power, marking a milestone. In the future, with the rapid growth of new installations, wind and solar power capacity exceeding that of thermal power will become the norm. These vast blades bear witness to the profound adjustment of China's energy structure.

From an unpopular and neglected sector to a hotbed of innovation and value creation, from dependence on foreign core technologies to holding the world's largest export share of related equipment and components, what can we learn from the industry's 'rise' of wind and solar power?

We can see the determination to act. Viewed over a longer time scale, the 'rise' of the wind and solar power industry is a vivid epitome of China's in-depth energy revolution. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Accelerating the construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system is the main direction of China's energy revolution." With the direction set, action is key. The construction of leading photovoltaic bases and the development of large-scale new energy bases, the promotion of new technology demonstration applications and rapid iteration of technologies and products, and the dynamic improvement of renewable energy grid-connected electricity prices, consumption guarantees, and market allocation... these are all pragmatic actions, step-by-step solid efforts, pushing the clean energy industry to become a new pillar of the modernized industrial system. The optimization and upgrading of the energy structure reflects the driving force of high-quality development and the unwavering determination to persevere once a goal is set. This perseverance has also strengthened our confidence in development.

We can see the pursuit of innovation and breakthroughs. Innovation is the "golden key" to opening the door to energy transformation. In recent years, China has frequently set world records in the field of wind and solar power, which is underpinned by comprehensive innovation encompassing materials, design, and technology. The world's largest 26-megawatt offshore wind turbine, with over 30,000 components, is 100% domestically produced, and its key components and technologies have reached world-leading levels; the world's longest wind turbine blades have been manufactured, and wind turbine towers as tall as more than 60 stories have been built; all-perovskite tandem solar cells have achieved a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 28.2%, setting a new world record... Without innovation, how can there be breakthroughs? If innovation is slow, how can we seize historical opportunities? It is innovation that has enabled wind and solar power to continuously achieve breakthroughs and provided an inexhaustible driving force for green development.

We can see a vision of empowering the world. Maintaining energy security and addressing climate change are common challenges faced by the world; accelerating the green and low-carbon transformation of energy and promoting sustainable development are common opportunities for the world. From building the world's largest and most complete new energy industry chain, to promoting the "export" of photovoltaic components and wind power equipment, popularizing clean energy technologies, and actively integrating into the global clean energy industry chain... As a firm practitioner and important contributor to global green development, China has always "let actions speak louder than words" in promoting green and low-carbon development. Today, China is carrying out green energy projects with more than 100 countries and regions, and a large number of landmark energy projects and people-friendly "small but beautiful" projects are shining brightly across the five continents. The "rise" of wind and solar power reflects not only China's firm actions in continuously promoting its own energy transformation, but also its broad vision in striving to promote global green transformation.

Developing itself while benefiting the world—this is the deeper logic behind China's continuously improving "green" energy content. Jack Perry, chairman of the 48 Group Club in the UK, believes that China's expertise in renewable energy and other fields brings hope to other developing countries that are undergoing modernization. An article on the Brookings Institution website states that China is a global leader in non-fossil energy, clean transportation, and green finance, and is also "the world's greatest hope."

China is holding up hope. The rotating blades bring not only strong electricity, but also a bright future for sustainable development. (Cui Yan)