The largest polluter in the world is now dominating the global renewable energy sector – China is on track to become the world’s first Electrostate.

The nation is putting its economic power behind renewable technologies like massive hydro plants, wind, solar, electric cars, and batteries that are used for both transport and energy storage as part of the Made in China 2025 plan.

The plan aims to change China’s manufacturing skills, focusing on high-tech domestically made products, and decreasing alliance on imported fossil fuels.

In the span of one month China installed more solar power than Australia has in all its history.

Though Australia relies primarily on fossil fuels for energy, Dr Roger Dargaville the lead researcher in renewable energy in the Monash University Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering says that Australia may be further along than we think when it comes to renewables.

Image: Image: Shutterstock – VectorStockbd

Produced By: Ruby Ward

Featured In Story: Dr Roger Dargaville, lead researcher in renewable energy at Monash University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 13 August 2025