China's goal of carbon neutrality by 2060 necessitates a significant increase in photovoltaic (PV) and wind power. This study demonstrates that by optimizing the deployment of new PV and wind power plants, coordinating with ultra-high-voltage (UHV) transmission and energy storage, and accounting for power-load flexibility and learning dynamics, China can increase PV and wind power capacity to 15 PWh year⁻¹ from a projected 9 PWh year⁻¹, significantly reducing average abatement costs. This requires substantial investment increases in PV and wind power, but offers co-benefits such as increased income in poorer regions.

Yijing Wang, Rong Wang, Katsumasa Tanaka, Philippe Ciais, Josep Peñuelas, Yves Balkanski, Jordi Sardans, Didier Hauglustaine, Wang Liu, Xiaofan Xing, Jiarong Li, Siqing Xu, Yuankang Xiong, Ruipu Yang, Junji Cao, Jianmin Chen, Lin Wang, Xu Tang, Renhe Zhang