Graphics: SCO renewable energy growth and cooperation

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has emerged as a major force in advancing renewable energy worldwide. 

By the end of 2024, SCO countries reached a total of 2,310 GW of renewable power capacity – accounting for half of the global total – with significant shares in hydropower, wind power and solar power. 

Since its founding in 2001, the organization's renewable energy capacity has grown 14.5 fold, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 12.3 percent. In 2024 alone, SCO countries added 420 GW of new renewable capacity, representing 72 percent of global growth. China contributed more than 370 GW of this expansion, underscoring its central role in driving green development within the organization.

Building on this momentum, SCO member states are deepening cooperation through large-scale projects and innovative partnerships. China-SCO joint renewable energy projects have already achieved an installed capacity of 96.3 GW, with the majority being solar and wind. Landmark initiatives – from Uzbekistan's solar farms to Nepal's hydropower stations and Saudi Arabia's large-scale energy storage – demonstrate the diversity of technologies and geographies involved. 

As 2025 has been designated the SCO Year of Sustainable Development, member states are intensifying collaboration through ministerial dialogues, policy frameworks, and joint initiatives to promote renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. These efforts align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting the SCO's commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.