China continues to have the highest wind power capacity in the world. In China, 23,369 MW of new wind power capacity was installed in 2016, increasing the accumulated capacity to 168,731 MW. Grid-connected capacity increased to 149,000 MW with the addition of 19,300 MW installed in 2016. This accounted for 9% of installed power capacity nationwide.
The average full-load-hour of wind power was 1,742 hours in 2016, an increase of 14 hours from 2015. Wind-generated electricity totaled 241 TWh, representing an increase of 29.4%. Wind-generated electricity accounted for 4% of the total electricity generation, an increase of 0.7% over 2015. Wind power remains the third largest generation source in China, following thermal and hydro-electricity sources. The average wind curtailment rate was 17%, an increase of 2% compared to 2015.
In 2016, the Chinese government considered wind power development an important tool to promote the energy revolution, to adjust the energy structure, and to enhance national energy security. The government issued a series of policies and regulations to promote the healthy development of wind power, known as the 13th Five-Year Plan for Wind Power Development. In addition, Chinese companies made progress in R&D including developments for wind energy in cold climates and in low wind speed areas.