*3.2. Wind and Solar Distribution in China*

Finally, the more economically developed coastal areas, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong, have greater household electrical energy consumption on average than the lower Midwest regions in China. Figures 7 and 8 show wind power and solar energy installed capacity until 2020 in China. In addition, more renewable energy sources such as wind energy and solar energy are located in the Midwest of China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, etc. Therefore, the non-balance between energy generation and energy consumption generates some obstacles for achieving the carbon peak and carbon neutral strategies of China. Therefore, developing an extra-high voltage power grid is an effective solution for improving renewable energy utilization and reducing carbon emissions. Besides, in these energy consumption regions such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong, distributed energy systems have also become a feasible solution for ensuring energy demands with low or zero carbon emissions.

In summary, from a macro perspective, the installed capacity of power generation based on fossil fuels and renewable energy sources has both continued to increase in the last decade. Although the average annual power generation utilization hours decrease year by year, it is conducive to improving China's human development index. However, a continuous increase in carbon emissions per capita comes with this. Meanwhile, from a micro perspective, the statistical and comparative analysis of the average household electricity consumption and wind power generation in each province in China shows regional and urban–rural development imbalances in China. There is also a large regional inconsistency between energy production and consumption. Therefore, under the carbon neutral perspective, the selection of future household energy supply paths should fully consider the characteristics of household electricity consumption in different regions, the characteristics of renewable energy distribution, and China's HDI targets.

**Figure 7.** Superior wind power plant distribution in China until 2020.

**Figure 8.** PV installed capacity distribution in China until 2020.
