China leads the renewable energy revolution and redefines the global economy.

In an increasingly sustainability-oriented world, the green economic revolution has taken a surprising turn, largely concentrated in the hands of a single protagonist: China. As the Asian giant has moved away from traditional production of consumer goods like clothing and toys, it has redirected its industrial machinery towards a sector that promises a cleaner future: renewable energy. From photovoltaic panels to wind turbines, and including electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries, China's control over the renewable product supply chain is indisputable. The transformation of the Chinese economy towards sustainability began in the mid-1990s, initially aimed at meeting domestic demands. However, the strategy quickly expanded globally, driven by massive government investments, an inexpensive labor force, and access to low-cost energy. Currently, the country not only produces but also controls every link in the renewable energy supply chain, from the extraction and processing of minerals to the manufacturing of final products that are distributed worldwide. A notable aspect of this dominance is the explosive growth in the lithium-ion battery sector. In the last four years, these batteries have surpassed solar modules, becoming the leading export product of China's green economy. Companies like Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) have emerged as giants in the industry, capturing more than 36% of the global market for electric vehicle batteries. With supply contracts with major automotive manufacturers like BMW and Volkswagen, CATL is beginning to establish a significant presence in Europe, building factories in Germany and Hungary. China's success in the automotive sector goes beyond batteries. In 2022, the country surpassed Japan to become the world's largest exporter of cars, with over four million electric units shipped abroad, a 60% increase from the previous year. This growth has raised concerns in the West, where higher tariffs have been implemented in an attempt to protect their own industries. The United States, for example, has increased tariffs on electric vehicles made in China, leading to trade tensions and a debate about fairness in international trade. Despite protective measures, China's dominance in the renewable energy field is undeniable. In the solar sector, more than 95% of the panels used in Europe come from this country, which has solidified its position as the global center for solar manufacturing. Projections indicate that with an investment of over $130 billion in the solar industry, China will control more than 80% of the global manufacturing capacity for crucial components of solar panels between 2023 and 2026. The competition is not only in manufacturing but also in innovation. In the last four years, Chinese companies have launched an astonishing number of new wind turbine models, significantly more than their Western competitors. While companies in Europe and the United States face losses and market stagnation, Chinese firms continue to expand their capacity and innovation in a sector that is vital for the global energy transition. The growing dependence of Europe and the United States on renewable products manufactured in China raises serious questions about the future self-sufficiency of these regions. Although they have begun to implement policies to encourage local production, the price difference remains overwhelming. A solar module produced in China is approximately 50% cheaper than one made in Europe, and 65% cheaper than an American-made one. This reflects not only the efficiency of production in China but also the challenges faced by renewable industries elsewhere in the world. As Western governments seek to find a balance between competition and collaboration, China's dominance in the renewable energy sector continues to grow. The paradox of being the largest emitter of greenhouse gases while simultaneously leading in the new green economy raises questions about global leadership in the energy transition. As the struggle for sustainability advances, the world watches closely to see how this dynamic between the Asian giant and the rest of the planet will unfold. Ultimately, the centralization of renewable energy production in China not only redefines the global economic landscape but will also change international relations and energy policies in the coming decades. The question that remains to be answered is whether the rest of the world can adapt and effectively compete in this new economic order or if, on the contrary, it will become increasingly trapped in a dependency on Chinese production.