The 2025 International Energy Transformation Forum was held in Suzhou on the 24th. During the event, achievements such as the “Energy Transformation Index Blue Book 2025” were released collectively. The index shows that China has become a major force in driving global energy transformation. In the energy transformation index scores, China ranks third globally, being the only developing country among the top ten. In this year’s newly added energy transformation speed assessment, China ranks first globally, indicating that China is currently the country with the fastest energy transformation speed in the world. Data released by the forum shows that by the end of September, China’s new energy storage installed capacity exceeded 100 million kilowatts, accounting for more than 40% of the global total. Currently, China has provided clean energy products and services to over 200 countries and regions. The “China Energy Good Products” list was also released at the forum. For example, China’s wind and solar power products alone reduced global carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2.65 billion tons in the past year.
Advancing Against the Waves: The “Acceleration” of China’s Energy Transition
The speed of China’s energy transition is reflected in substantial leaps across multiple dimensions. In terms of energy structure optimization, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption in China continues to rise rapidly, while the share of coal consumption has significantly declined, with clean energy accelerating its role as the main force in energy supply. In terms of installed capacity, China’s total installed capacity of renewable energy power generation has surpassed the 1 billion kilowatt mark, with hydropower, wind power, photovoltaic power generation, and biomass power generation all ranking first in the world. Particularly in the fields of photovoltaic and wind power, China has long led the world in both new and cumulative installed capacity. In terms of technological breakthroughs and cost reductions, China’s strong manufacturing capabilities have significantly lowered the costs of key equipment such as photovoltaic modules and wind turbines, driving the global grid parity of renewable energy and accelerating the energy revolution. Additionally, China has achieved world-leading results in key energy technologies such as ultra-high voltage transmission, smart grids, and large-scale energy storage, providing solid guarantees for high-proportion renewable energy consumption. Reports from authoritative institutions like the International Energy Agency (IEA) have repeatedly pointed out that China is the biggest driving force behind global clean energy development, with its transition speed far surpassing that of other countries.
Policy guidance: Building a solid support system for green energy transformation
The “super speed” of China’s energy transition is by no means accidental. Behind it is a set of top-down, systematic and well-established policy support system, which reflects the national will and strategic foresight.
China has incorporated ecological civilization construction and green low-carbon development into the overall national development layout. The “dual carbon” goals — the solemn commitment to achieve carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 — have set a clear timetable and roadmap for energy transition. Subsequently, guiding documents such as the “Opinions on Fully, Accurately, and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Philosophy to Achieve Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” and the “Action Plan for Carbon Peak Before 2030” were issued, establishing a “1+N” policy system that clarifies the direction, goals, and key tasks of energy transition.
The Chinese government has vigorously supported the development of the renewable energy industry through subsidies, tax incentives, and pricing mechanisms. Although subsidy policies have gradually been phased out, they played a crucial catalytic role in the early stages of industrial incubation. Meanwhile, China has established the world’s largest carbon emission trading market, leveraging market mechanisms to drive corporate emission reduction and transformation. The green finance system has developed rapidly, guiding capital flows toward green and low-carbon projects.
China has placed energy technology self-reliance and strength in a prominent position, continuously increasing R&D investment in cutting-edge technologies such as renewable energy, advanced nuclear energy, new power systems, and hydrogen energy. By supporting key technological breakthroughs through national science and technology programs, it promotes the deep integration of innovation chains and industrial chains, providing a continuous flow of technological momentum for energy transition.
The Chinese government prioritizes energy infrastructure development, particularly the construction of ultra-high voltage transmission networks. This initiative effectively resolves the mismatch between energy resources and load centers, enabling large-scale cross-regional integration of clean energy in western and northern regions. Investments in grid smart technologies, pumped storage systems, and advanced energy storage solutions have significantly enhanced the power grid’s flexibility and renewable energy integration capabilities.
Benefiting the world: China’s global contribution to energy transition
As the world’s largest energy producer and consumer, China’s energy transition is not only about its own sustainable development, but also has far-reaching global significance.
China’s rapidly growing clean energy scale means a huge reduction in greenhouse gas emissions every year. China’s achievement of the “dual carbon” goals is itself one of the biggest contributions to the global fight against climate change, providing key support for achieving the temperature control targets of the Paris Agreement and boosting the ambition and confidence of global climate action.
The huge scale of China’s manufacturing industry and continuous technological innovation have led to a sharp decline in the cost of equipment such as photovoltaic and wind power worldwide, enabling more countries and regions around the world to use clean electricity at lower prices, accelerating the process of the global energy revolution.
China is not only a major application country of clean energy technology, but also a major manufacturing and exporting country. From photovoltaic modules, wind turbines to energy storage batteries, China’s green products are continuously exported to the world, helping developing countries improve energy access and develop low-carbon economies. In the Belt and Road Initiative, China actively promotes green energy cooperation, helping countries along the route build clean energy projects and share the fruits of green development.
China has explored an effective path for coordinated advancement in the energy transition process, balancing the relationship between development and emission reduction, the whole and the part, as well as long-term goals and short-term tasks. Its model, combining large-scale market application with strong policy incentives, provides valuable lessons for other countries facing similar challenges in energy security, environmental pollution, and development needs.