context: The 'New energy system 15th 5-year plan' was issued on 25 June 2026. It is a 14-measure roadmap across six areas aimed at 'initially building a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient new energy system by 2030'.
Major strategic projects and new-format ventures with total investment in key energy projects and new business formats exceeding C¥20 tn during the 15th 5-year plan, said Wang Hongzhi 王宏志 National Energy Administration director at a 26 June press conference.
Wang outlined four features the system should show by 2030
- on security and resilience, comprehensive energy production capacity will reach 5.8 bn tonnes of standard coal, with more diversified, controllable imports
- on structure, installed power capacity — already past 4,000 GW — is expected to reach 5,400 GW, with
- new energy exceeding 50 percent of capacity to become the main body
- non-fossil generation reaching 50 percent of output
- coal and oil consumption peaking
- on system form, a 'new-type power system' will be build with the grid restructured around high-share renewables and backed by concrete 2030 capacity for distributed generation, storage, and demand-side flexibility
- on innovation, the aim is to enter the front rank of energy-technology nations and basically complete the national unified electricity market
The plan emphasises 'three strengthenings'
- optimising spatial layout through a 'four bases plus distributed' growth structure to lift the non-fossil share of energy consumption to 25 percent
- strategic coordination across 'six major systems' spanning security, infrastructure, consumption, innovation, governance and international cooperation
- project-led support, including major works such as the lower Yarlung hydropower project, 'desert and gobi' renewable bases, offshore wind, and coastal nuclear, plus new ventures like wind-solar-hydrogen-ammonia-methanol integrated bases, green-power direct connection, smart microgrids and zero-carbon parks
Three further priorities cover oil and gas security, new-type grid construction and two-way empowerment between AI and energy.
The plan sets concrete 2030 targets
- new energy generation reaching 30 percent of output
- the distribution grid able to carry 900 GW of distributed new energy
- pumped-storage capacity around 160 GW and new-type storage at 300 GW
- virtual power plant regulation capacity above 50 GW
- crude oil production stable at 200 million tonnes; and charging infrastructure doubling to 40 million units
It also pushes non-fossil heating, heat-pump deployment and integrated energy stations.
The new 5-year plan period shifts emphasis from rapid capacity growth toward high-quality grid integration, high absorption, system flexibility and safety, and 'self-controllable' technology, says Wang Zhixuan 王志轩 China Electricity Council expert group deputy head. Sun Chuanwang 孙传旺 Xiamen University, highlighted stronger coordination between energy development and energy-using industries. The National Development and Reform Commission has indicated new-grid investment will exceed C¥5 tn over the period. Fu Guanjun 傅观君 State Grid Energy Research Institute, expects storage-regulation investment to grow faster than new energy itself, averaging nearly eight times the 2022 level annually and over 10 percent of total power investment.