China has ceased providing data that previously indicated a decrease in the utilisation of its renewable power plants. This decision, reported by sources familiar with the matter, raises concerns about transparency in China's energy sector. The data, which had been regularly released by the National Energy Administration (NEA), showed a notable dip in the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources like wind and solar.

The move comes amidst global scrutiny over China's commitment to its climate goals, including targets for reducing carbon emissions. Critics argue that withholding such information could obscure the true progress and challenges in China's renewable energy transition. The NEA's decision to halt the release of these statistics has not been officially explained, leaving industry analysts and environmental advocates questioning the motive behind this lack of transparency.

Previously, the data highlighted a decrease in the share of electricity generated by renewable sources from 11.3% in 2020 to 9.7% in 2021. This shift has sparked concerns about China's ability to meet its ambitious renewable energy targets. The suspension of data publication adds to existing uncertainties about the reliability of China's official energy statistics, which are crucial for assessing global energy trends and policy impacts.

Industry experts emphasise the importance of transparent and reliable data to accurately gauge progress towards sustainable energy goals. The absence of updated figures could hinder international efforts to monitor and support China's transition to a greener economy.