Fact Check: China adds 198 GW of solar power, matching Indonesia's electricity generation.

Fact Check: "China adds 198 GW of solar power, matching Indonesia's electricity generation."

What We Know

China's renewable energy sector has seen significant growth in recent years, particularly in solar power. According to official data, by the end of February 2025, China's cumulative installed solar power generation capacity reached 930 million kilowatts, marking a substantial year-on-year increase of 42.9%. Furthermore, reports indicate that between January and May 2025, China added a remarkable 198 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity, alongside 46 GW of wind power capacity, which is enough to generate electricity comparable to that of entire countries such as Indonesia and Turkey (source-5, source-6).

This rapid expansion is part of China's broader strategy to enhance its renewable energy infrastructure, which has positioned the country as a global leader in solar energy deployment, surpassing a total of 1 terawatt (1,000 GW) of installed solar capacity for the first time (source-3, source-5).

Analysis

The claim that "China adds 198 GW of solar power, matching Indonesia's electricity generation" is supported by multiple credible sources. The data from the National Energy Administration and various news outlets confirm that China indeed added 198 GW of solar capacity in the first five months of 2025 (source-2, source-5). This figure is significant as it not only highlights China's aggressive push towards renewable energy but also indicates that the newly installed capacity is on par with the total electricity generation of Indonesia, which is a substantial benchmark for comparison.

The reliability of these sources is bolstered by their authoritative nature; for instance, the National Energy Administration is a government body responsible for energy policy in China, and reports from reputable news organizations such as The Guardian and Renew Economy provide additional verification (source-6, source-3).

Moreover, the context provided by experts like Lauri Myllyvirta, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, adds depth to the claim. His commentary on the scale of China's renewable energy rollout emphasizes the unprecedented nature of these developments and their implications for global energy dynamics (source-5, source-8).

Conclusion

The claim that "China adds 198 GW of solar power, matching Indonesia's electricity generation" is True. The evidence presented from multiple credible sources confirms that China has indeed added this amount of solar capacity, which is comparable to Indonesia's total electricity generation. This reflects not only China's rapid advancements in renewable energy but also its significant role in the global energy landscape.