🧃 China's Power Play: Outpacing the U.S. in Grid Clean-Up

Welcome back to today’s episode of The Strawman, the daily climate newsletter where you hopefully learning something new everyday. Or every couple of days.

While China often takes heat for its coal expansion, new data shows its power grid is already cleaner than several major U.S. systems. Yes, the world’s largest emitter is quietly putting some American grids to shame, thanks to an aggressive clean energy rollout. Let’s dive into why the U.S. might need to step up its game.

China’s Quiet Climate Win

China's coal expansions grab the headlines, but beneath the surface, it’s been orchestrating a clean energy sprint. Over the past five years, China boosted its clean power generation by 68%, helping total electricity output surge by 36%. This lifted clean energy's share of China’s power mix from 31% in 2019 to 38% in 2024.

By comparison, the U.S. saw a more modest 17% rise in clean power production, with total electricity supply growing just 5%. Clean energy’s share crept up from 38% to 42%—steady progress but hardly headline-grabbing.

China’s push means its power grid is getting cleaner faster, and its carbon intensity (how much CO₂ is emitted per unit of electricity) is falling. In 2024, China’s grid emitted 534 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), not far behind the U.S. average of 395 grams. And the gap is closing.

America’s Fossil Fuel Fixation

Here’s where it gets awkward: several major U.S. power grids are more carbon-intensive than China's. Florida’s Jacksonville Electric Authority, for instance, hit a hefty 717 grams of CO₂ per kWh in 2024—35% higher than China’s average. Other U.S. systems like the Western Area Power Administration and Associated Electric Cooperative also surpassed China’s carbon intensity levels.

What’s driving this? A stubborn reliance on natural gas, limited renewable incentives, and policies like Florida’s offshore wind ban. While China ramps up solar and wind, some U.S. states are doubling down on gas-fired capacity—exactly the opposite of what’s needed to clean up the grid.

Carbon Intensity Showdown

Despite plans to add over 200 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity, China’s renewable ambitions are still outpacing its fossil fuel expansion. This strategy means China’s carbon intensity could dip below the U.S. average in the coming years.

Meanwhile, some U.S. power systems remain locked into fossil-heavy growth. Take PacifiCorp, serving Oregon and California—it plans to add a massive 5-gigawatt gas peaking plant. And Florida? More gas, less solar.

The irony? China’s centralised push for clean energy could see its grid become cleaner than America's, despite U.S. utilities having easier access to innovation and investment. It’s a race where the underdog is surging ahead.

The Strawman’s Takeaway

While U.S. states like Florida cling to fossil fuels, China’s rapid clean energy expansion is rewriting the emissions narrative. If the U.S. wants to stay competitive on climate leadership, it might be time to rethink the gas-heavy strategy.

Have a great weekend!