context: The National Development and Reform Commission released draft renewable energy consumption minimum share targets and responsibility weighting system implementation measures on 13 October. The draft specifies that the State Council shall develop targets for the minimum share of renewable energy consumption and the renewable power responsibility weighting system. This marks the first time that non-power renewable energy consumption has been incorporated in mandatory share assessments at the national level, and aligns with the push for greater absorption and integration of renewable energy across the industrial sector.
The latest draft refines the renewable energy consumption minimum target defined in the Energy Law, marking a new stage in which it is now subject to mandatory assessment, reports Jiemian. It also marks the first time that non-electricity consumption has been incorporated into mandatory share assessments at the national level.
The minimum share target is divided into two categories
- power consumption: all renewable power generation types
- non-power consumption: renewable heating and cooling, renewables-based hydrogen, ammonia and methanol production, biofuels, etc.
The draft refines two key aspects compared to the Notice on 2025 renewable energy consumption responsibilities (发改办能源〔2025〕669号) issued in July, namely
- assessment content
- Document No.669 only involved the share of green electricity consumed by key industries
- this draft covers power consumption as well as non-power uses
- enforcement strength
- Document No.669 only monitored green power consumption for key industries without formal assessment
- this draft states that the State Council and other relevant departments shall monitor, evaluate and assess minimum renewable power and non-power minimum consumption ratios in key energy-consuming industries
The draft is the first to structure a comprehensive renewable energy guarantee system from both consumption and absorption ends, argues Tao Ye 陶冶 National Development and Reform Commission Energy Research Institute deputy-director. It fills previous policy gaps while providing institutional support for renewables through clear responsibility allocation and market mechanisms.
The main contradiction has shifted from insufficient installed capacity to insufficient system-level absorptive and market-based capacity, explains Wang Hongzhi 王宏志 National Energy Administration director, in an article titled 'Promoting China's high-quality renewables development with greater effort' published on 24 September .
As the proportion of renewables increases, pressure on grid absorption also grows. From January to July 2025, the national utilisation rate of wind power was 93.8 percent, down 2.5 percent y-o-y. The utilisation rate of solar power was 94.7 percent, down 2.4 percent y-o-y.
Incorporating non-power consumption into mandatory targets is expected to benefit industries such as renewable heating, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and biofuels.
As for development patterns, we must pursue integrated and diversified approaches, moving from solo operations to integrated application, notes Wang. Multi-energy integration tech such as green hydrogen and ammonia production are advancing rapidly, with promising application in chemicals, transport and metallurgical sectors, he adds.
The first half of the PRC's energy revolution focused on decarbonising the power sector, while the second half will shift toward decarbonising non-power sectors, according to Guojin Securities. Tianfeng Electric New Energy similarly notes that annual non-power consumption targets will substantially increase demand for green hydrogen, ammonia and methanol.