Development status evaluation and path analysis of regional clean energy power generation in China

Due to differences in resource endowments, levels of economic development, energy structure, and effects of policy implementation, the level of clean energy development in different regions in China is nonuniform. To achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, it is necessary to clarify the law of clean energy development and formulate policies tailored to local conditions. Based on relevant data on clean energy power, this paper establishes a system for evaluating the levels of clean energy development in each region in China by the entropy method and quantitatively analyzes the key factors influencing regional clean energy development. Based on this, the development characteristics of clean energy in different regions are discussed, and four historical paths for developing clean energy are summarized. The findings reveal the following: (1) overall, clean energy development in most regions in China is proceeding at a satisfactory pace. The contribution of resource endowment to clean energy development is considerable in Southwest and Northwest China. (2) The paths involved in the regional development of clean energy can be categorized into rising, declining, stable, and fluctuating types. (3) Currently, clean energy development in China remains largely dependent on resource endowments and is restricted by the capacity of traditional large-scale energy generation units. (4) In the foreseeable future, a sound and effective trading mechanism for the clean energy market will play an important role in economically developed regions and promote a higher level of development and generation of clean energy.