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Key Points

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praised China's massive achievement in solar energy installation. He highlighted that China installed a record 256 GW in just the first half of 2025. Tharoor suggested India should follow this example by utilizing its vast barren lands for solar power. This could potentially make India energy self-sufficient and even an energy exporter.

Key Points: Shashi Tharoor Lauds China Solar Capacity Record 256 GW

  • China installed 256 GW solar capacity in H1 2025, more than the rest of the world combined
  • Tharoor urges India to cover barren lands from Thar to Deccan with solar panels
  • China's wind and solar capacity now leads thermal power for the first time
  • Since 2013, China's solar power capacity has grown more than 180 times
2 min read

Shashi Tharoor lauds China's aggressive leadership for installing more solar capacity than rest of world combined in first half of 2025

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praises China's 256 GW solar installation in H1 2025, urging India to blanket barren lands with solar power for energy self-sufficiency.

"China just installed a mind-boggling 256 GW of solar capacity in the first half of 2025--more than the rest of the world combined! - Shashi Tharoor"

New Delhi, September 19

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday lauded China's rapid progress in renewable energy, noting that the country installed a record 256 GW of solar capacity in the first half of 2025, more than the rest of the world combined.

In a post on X, Tharoor wrote, "China just installed a mind-boggling 256 GW of solar capacity in the first half of 2025--more than the rest of the world combined! This highlights their aggressive leadership in the global clean energy race."

https://x.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1968747512875159808

He noted that India, with its vast potential, could learn from Beijing's aggressive push into renewables. "India, with its vast solar potential, has the opportunity to follow this lead, create a global power grid, and become self-sufficient in energy -- maybe even an energy exporter."

Urging large-scale adoption, Tharoor added, "Let's blanket every bit of barren land from the Thar desert to the Deccan Plateau with #SolarPower for #CleanEnergy! #ClimateAction."

His remarks came as official data showed that China's installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic power reached 1.482 billion kilowatts by the end of March, surpassing thermal power capacity for the first time in history, according to Xinhua.

The National Energy Administration said, "As new installations continue to grow rapidly, wind and solar capacity will maintain the lead over thermal power."

In the first quarter of 2025, electricity generated from wind and photovoltaics reached 536.4 billion kilowatt-hours, accounting for 22.5 per cent of China's total power use, a rise of 4.3 percentage points compared to the same period last year.

Xinhua reported that China's total installed renewable power capacity stood at about 1.41 billion kilowatts at the end of 2024, representing more than 40 per cent of total electricity capacity and overtaking coal-fired power installations.

The country's new energy sector has seen rapid growth in recent years as part of Beijing's efforts to decarbonise the economy.

Since 2013, wind power capacity has grown sixfold, while solar power capacity has increased more than 180 times. China's annual new installations now account for more than 40 per cent of the global total, significantly contributing to worldwide green development.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Tharoor makes a valid point. Instead of always criticizing China, we should learn from their execution capabilities. Their scale of implementation is something our bureaucracy should study. Solar energy could solve so many of our energy problems!
A
Aman W
China built all that capacity using forced labor in Xinjiang and questionable environmental practices. We should pursue solar growth but with ethical and sustainable methods. Quality over quantity!
S
Sarah B
The Thar desert idea is brilliant! Rajasthan and Gujarat have so much unused land that could power entire cities. Hope the government takes this seriously and invests in large-scale solar farms. ☀️
V
Vikram M
Respectfully disagree with Tharoor ji. Praising China's "aggressive leadership" when they're occupying our territory in Ladakh doesn't sit right. We can appreciate their tech without applauding their leadership.
K
Karthik V
India is already doing great in solar! We're among top 5 countries in renewable energy capacity. Yes, we can learn from others but let's also celebrate our own achievements under National Solar Mission.
N
Nisha Z
The numbers are staggering! 256 GW in just 6 months shows what determined policy-making can achieve. Hope our state governments take note and push for more solar parks. Our future depends on clean

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