China's Green Energy Transition and Global Dominance
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Understanding China's green transition offers insights into industrial policy, technological innovation, and environmental governance relevant to India's own energy transition goals, energy security, and climate change commitments. It also highlights the scale of investment and enforcement required for such a transformation.
China has undertaken a massive green energy transition, investing heavily in renewable energy sources, electric vehicles (EVs), and associated technologies. This has led to its global dominance in manufacturing and supply chains for solar panels, batteries, and EVs, transforming its industrial landscape and significantly reducing domestic pollution.
Facts & tables
- Global EV Sales Share
- Accounts for around 60% of all global EV sales (IEA 2024).
- Battery Manufacturing Dominance
- Controls 76% of global lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing.
- Solar PV Capacity
- Commissioned as many PVs in 2023 as the rest of the world combined.
- Domestic Environmental Improvement
- Achieved significant pollution reduction, e.g., PM 2.5 in Zhejiang fell to European levels, 100% surface water met national standards.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Air Pollution & Emissions |
| Conceptual area | Emerging Information Technologies |
| Conceptual area | Environmental Law & Policy |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| International Energy Agency (IEA) | Provides data and analysis on global energy trends |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- China's massive investment in green tech (EVs, solar, batteries).
- Global market dominance in key green sectors (60% EV sales, 76% Li-ion batteries).
- Policy pillars: investment, strict enforcement, technology innovation.
- Significant domestic environmental improvements (e.g., PM 2.5 reduction).
- Strategic importance for energy security and self-reliance.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2023 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2014 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
Timeline
-
Air Pollution & Emissions
Conceptual area
-
Emerging Information Technologies
Conceptual area
-
Environmental Law & Policy
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2018
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Inside China’s green transition
China's rapid green energy transition, driven by massive investment, strict enforcement, and technological innovation, has established its global dominance in EVs, batteries, and solar PVs, while also achieving significant domestic environmental improvements.
See also
Past papers
2014–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
Inside China’s green transition
China's rapid green energy transition, driven by massive investment, strict enforcement, and technological innovation, has established its global dominance in EVs, batteries, and solar PVs, while also achieving significant domestic environmental improvements.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana':
I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.
II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels.
III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a major government initiative to expand rooftop solar adoption in the residential sector, while also building technical capacity across the country. ✅ Statement I: Correct
* The scheme targets the installation of 1 crore solar rooftop panels in households. ✅ Statement II: Correct
* The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE plans to train grassroots-level workers in installation, operation, and maintenance. ✅ Statement III: Correct
* The scheme aims to create over 3 lakh skilled workers through fresh skilling and up-skilling efforts.
With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements:
1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in the electricity generation process.
2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
3. India has a manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductors (like silicon) — this is a direct conversion of light to electrical energy. Solar Thermal technology uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight to produce heat, which then drives a turbine to generate electricity (an indirect process). Statement 2 is incorrect: Photovoltaic systems generate Direct Current (DC), which is usually converted into Alternating Current (AC) through an inverter for grid use. Solar Thermal systems generate heat energy, which is used to produce AC electricity through conventional turbines. Statement 3 is incorrect: India has a manufacturing base for solar photovoltaics (PV) — including solar cells, modules, and panels (e.g., companies like Adani Solar, Vikram Solar, and Tata Power Solar). The solar thermal manufacturing base in India is limited and largely focused on small-scale applications like water heating.
With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements:
1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: India does not feature among the top three global manufacturers of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic (PV) units or solar cells. The top three manufacturers of silicon wafers for PV applications are China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is a government-owned company that facilitates the implementation of solar energy projects in the country, but it does not determine the solar power tariffs. The solar power tariffs in India are determined through a competitive bidding process conducted by various agencies. Hence, the correct answer is option (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Consider the following heavy industries :
1. Fertilizer plants
2. Oil refineries
3. Steel plants
Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
* Green hydrogen is the hydrogen produced through electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable sources. * Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing all three of the mentioned heavy industries. * Green hydrogen can be used in the production of ammonia, which is a key component for many fertilizers. Fertilizer production is energy-intensive and often relies on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas. By using green hydrogen as a clean energy source, the carbon emissions from this industry can be significantly reduced * Green hydrogen can be used in oil refineries to process crude oil into various products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This can help to reduce the carbon emissions from the refining process. * The steel industry is one of the largest industrial emitters of carbon dioxide. Green hydrogen can be used in place of coal in the steelmaking process, significantly reducing the industry's carbon emissions.
Consider the following infrastructure sectors:
1. Affordable housing
2. Mass rapid transport
3. Health care
4. Renewable energy
On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments?
* In March 2020, Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) was formally established as a stand-alone business unit in the UNOPS governance structure, making UNOPS the first United Nations organisation able to make direct investments from its own balance sheet. * In line with the UNOPS Strategic Plan, 2022-2025, the S3i office will seek to enhance and accelerate the effort of engaging public and private sector investors to work collectively to scale up infrastructure investments and consider co-creating innovative financing options. The UNOPS S3i will continue rolling out the initiative across its three focus-areas- affordable housing- renewable energy- health infrastructure _SK Tip_: _Just think of the option - Rapid Mass Transport. If we generally think, rapid mass transport is not a need or even a necessity while considering sustainable aspects. Had it been mass transport, we would have still given it a thought. But not rapid mass transport._
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following:
1. Battery storage
2. Biomass generators
3. Fuel cells
4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units
How many of the above are considered "Distributed Energy Resources"?
Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are small-scale units of power generation or storage that are situated closer to the end-users. Let's analyze each option: * Battery storage: These store energy and can be deployed within the distribution network or at the consumer end, making them DERs. * Biomass generators: These can be small-scale and located near the biomass source, making them suitable for distributed generation. * Fuel cells: Similar to biomass generators, fuel cells can be deployed in a decentralized manner, qualifying as DERs. * Rooftop solar photovoltaic units: These are a classic example of DERs, generating power at the point of consumption. _Therefore, all four options are considered Distributed Energy Resources._
With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements :
1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Green hydrogen is any hydrogen that is produced from renewable energy. * Statement 1 is correct: Green hydrogen can be used as a direct fuel for internal combustion engines, replacing conventional fuels like gasoline or diesel. * Statement 2 is correct: Green hydrogen can be blended with natural gas and used as a fuel for various applications like heating, power generation, and industrial processes. * Statement 3 is correct: Green hydrogen can be used in hydrogen fuel cells to power electric vehicles, providing a clean and efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Therefore, all three statements regarding the uses of green hydrogen are correct.
Consider the following statements:
1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India.
2. Kerala has a fully solar powered International Airport.
3. Goa has the largest floating solar photovoltaic project in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. India's Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan is the largest solar power park in the world. Statement 2 is correct. Kerala’s Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is the first airport in the world that would be running fully on solar power. Statement 3 is incorrect. The largest floating solar photovoltaic project in India is not in Goa but in Ramagundam, Telangana. The project is developed by NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation Limited).