China is at the forefront of renewable energy expansion, significantly increasing its wind and solar capacity. A key project on Chongming Island, which integrates solar panels with crab farming, has faced mixed reactions from locals who feel their landscape has been altered. While the government’s dual-use strategy aims for efficiency and climate neutrality, many residents lack a clear understanding of these initiatives and their connection to broader environmental issues. The significant investments in renewables often seem disconnected from daily life in China.
China’s Ambitious Renewable Energy Projects
China is leading the charge in renewable energy development, constructing nearly double the wind and solar capacity of the rest of the globe combined. One notable initiative is the climate neutrality pilot project located on Chongming Island, which is part of Shanghai. However, this project has sparked mixed feelings among the local population.
Chongming Island: A Unique Blend of Aquaculture and Solar Energy
On Chongming Island, water flows through paddle wheel turbines to oxygenate crab breeding ponds, which are uniquely outfitted with solar panels. These panels are supported by concrete pillars rising from the water, creating a roof-like structure over the ponds surrounding the village of Chenjia.
“These ponds used to look beautiful in the sunlight, but now with the solar panels, they have lost their charm,” lamented one villager. Another echoed this sentiment, saying, “Everything was green before, but we have no choice; we don’t have a say in the matter.”
Not long ago, locals managed the land themselves and cultivated hairy crabs, a culinary delicacy in China. However, the government has since allocated land use rights to a company, resulting in a solar park being established right next to their homes.
From the government’s perspective, this dual-use strategy is efficient, as it continues to support crab farming while generating renewable electricity. The state promotes Chongming as a flagship project on its journey towards climate neutrality. In recent years, numerous wind and solar parks have sprung up amidst the island’s lush meadows, forests, and wetlands. However, local authorities declined to comment on the project.
To support the growth of green energy, grid operators estimate a funding need of approximately €17 billion.
“It’s a combined effort; crabs are raised below while electricity is produced above,” stated a 66-year-old villager who gave up his land use rights for the initiative. “The land belongs to the state. We can’t buy or sell it; we only have rights to use it.”
In the communist structure of China, the government holds ultimate authority over land. Citizens and organizations can acquire land use rights for up to 70 years, but these can be revoked with financial compensation. This framework allows for large-scale construction and renewable energy projects to be executed swiftly without a democratic process.
China stands out as a global leader in renewable energy expansion, nearly doubling the capacity growth of wind and solar compared to the rest of the world. A study by the NGO Global Energy Monitor highlighted this trend last summer. Furthermore, according to the Finnish environmental think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, China invests more in renewable technologies than any other nation, contributing significantly to a 40% growth in its economy last year.
As geopolitical tensions and climate change threaten energy stability, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warns of potential crises ahead.
China has set an ambitious goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2060, with plans to reach peak CO2 emissions by 2030. However, the rapid growth of renewable energy in the country suggests that this peak may be achieved sooner than anticipated, possibly as early as last year.
Experts from the IEA predict that global green electricity capacity could triple by 2030.
“I’m satisfied with the solar parks; they help our country develop,” said a 77-year-old villager, who admits he doesn’t fully understand solar energy. “I know photovoltaics is a resource from the sky, so it costs us nothing.” Many villagers have limited education, and another resident noted, “They are unaware of climate neutrality; the government’s current messaging isn’t enough.”
The significant investments in renewable energy and the government’s climate ambitions often feel disconnected from the everyday lives of many Chinese citizens. The concept of climate protection remains abstract for many, with frequent natural disasters and extreme temperatures rarely linked to human-caused climate change in state media.
Conversely, environmental issues such as soil, air, and water pollution, along with plastic waste, are more visible and frequently discussed topics in Chinese media.
This article was first reported by BR24 on November 13, 2024, at 4:09 PM.