Mapped: China’s $32 billion overseas clean energy splurge

Long known for its huge foreign investments in coal, oil and gas, Beijing is now starting to splash the cash on greener technologies

(Pic: Flickr/Johan Douma)

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China made US$32 billion of clean energy deals in foreign countries through 2016, according to research by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, a US-based think tank.

The sum represents a 60% rise in overseas investments by state owned companies, says IEEFA, cementing the country’s position as the global leader in clean energy funding.

This week, the National Energy Administration announced plans to spend US$360 billion on nuclear and renewables domestically to 2020.

Australia, Germany, Brazil and Chile were among countries that saw investments of a billion dollars or more in a diverse range of sectors that include wind, hydro and lithium mining.

“The US is slipping well behind China in the race to secure a larger share of the booming clean energy market,” said Tim Buckley, head of IEEFA’s energy finance research.

Below we’ve mapped out China’s top clean energy deals over the last 12 months – just click on the box below to start your tour.

Read more on: China | Energy | Renewables