On March 5, 2026, Premier Li Qiang, on behalf of the State Council, delivered the Report on the Work of the Government to the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress.

In the review of work in 2025, the following achievements in the energy and power sector were mentioned:

Over the past year, China’s development has been innovation-driven and quality-oriented, demonstrating robust vitality. Construction commenced on the Yalong River-Xiaojiang River Hydropower Project. Annual production of new energy vehicles exceeded 16 million units, and the number of electric vehicle charging facilities surpassed 20 million. Energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by 5.1%, and the quality of the ecological environment continued to improve.

Further deepened reform and opening-up, and unimpeded the national economic cycle. Implemented guidelines for building a unified national market, issued a new version of the negative list for market access, systematically rectified prominent problems in bidding, tendering and investment promotion, advanced production capacity governance in key industries, and achieved notable results in comprehensively addressing “involutionary” competition. Positive progress was made in deepening and upgrading SOE reforms, and measures were introduced to further boost private investment.

Accelerated the building of a Beautiful China and promoted green and low-carbon development. Launched the construction of pilot zones for Beautiful China. Accelerated the green and low-carbon transformation of key industries. The first batch of new energy base projects in desert, Gobi and desertified areas were basically completed and put into operation. The installed capacity of new energy storage exceeded 130 million kilowatts, and the share of non-fossil energy in total energy consumption reached 21.7%. Announced the nationally determined contribution (NDC) target for addressing climate change by 2035, fully demonstrating China’s responsibility as a major country.

In the review of the past five years, these achievements in the energy and power industry were mentioned:

New progress was made in ecological conservation; we have built the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system. New improvements were made in security capacity building. Security capacity in key areas such as food, energy resources, finance and cyberspace was significantly strengthened, social stability was maintained, and the bottom line of no systemic risks was firmly upheld.

Li Qiang introduced the main targets, major strategic tasks, and major engineering projects for the “15th Five-Year Plan” period in the government work report.

These key aspects of the energy and power industry include:

(1) Major Targets and Indicators

Green and Low-carbon Development: Five indicators were set for carbon reduction, pollution control and ecological protection. In line with the national NDC target, we aim to achieve a cumulative reduction of 17% in carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP, and continue to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of key sectors.

Security Guarantees: Two indicators were set for food and energy production capacity, with a focus on consolidating the important foundation for national security.

(2) Major Strategic Tasks

Prioritize High-quality Development: Focus on building a Beautiful China, continue to deepen the battle against pollution and optimize ecosystems, accelerate the formation of green production and lifestyles, and ensure the timely achievement of the carbon peaking target.

Strengthen the Domestic Circular Economy: Fully leverage the dividends of China’s ultra-large market, advance the building of a unified national market in depth, and break down local protectionism and market segmentation.

Coordinate Development and Security: Enhance the supply guarantee capacity for food and energy resources. The overall grain production capacity will reach about 1.45 trillion jin, and the comprehensive energy production capacity will reach 5.8 billion tons of standard coal equivalent.

(3) Major Engineering Projects

Leading the Development of New Quality Productive Forces: 28 projects were proposed to enhance industrial foundation capabilities and competitiveness, foster new industries and new tracks, advance cutting-edge scientific and technological breakthroughs, and improve innovation infrastructure.

Building a Modern Infrastructure System: 23 projects were proposed for the national comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network, new energy system, new-type infrastructure and opening-up platforms.

Promoting Green and Low-carbon Transformation: 18 projects were proposed for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, environmental quality improvement and ecological protection and restoration.

Security Guarantees in Key Areas: Six projects were proposed for food and energy security.

Among this year’s government work priorities, those related to the energy and power industry include:

Main Expected Targets

Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP to be reduced by about 3.8%. This target comprehensively considers economic and social development, green and low-carbon transformation and national energy security, and is conducive to the orderly achievement of the carbon peaking target before 2030.

Key Government Tasks

Cultivate and expand emerging and future industries: Establish mechanisms for investment growth and risk sharing in future industries, and foster future energy, quantum technology, embodied intelligence, brain-computer interface, 6G and other future industries.

Create a new form of smart economy: Implement new infrastructure projects such as ultra-large-scale intelligent computing clusters and computing-power coordination, strengthen the monitoring and scheduling of the national integrated computing power network, and support the development of public clouds.

Accelerate comprehensive green transformation: Driven by carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, coordinate efforts to reduce carbon, control pollution, expand greenery and promote growth, and strengthen the momentum of green development.

Vigorously develop the green and low-carbon economy: Improve policies to promote green and low-carbon development, implement actions to upgrade, reduce costs and cut carbon emissions in key industries, and further advance the construction of zero-carbon industrial parks and factories. Establish a national low-carbon transition fund, and cultivate new growth areas such as hydrogen energy and green fuels. Effectively and efficiently control high-energy-consumption and high-emission projects, accelerate the phasing out of outdated production capacity, and support the innovation and application of green and low-carbon technologies and equipment. Improve the system for total resource management and comprehensive conservation, and strengthen the recycling of renewable resources.

Actively and steadily advance carbon peaking and carbon neutrality: Implement a dual-control system for total carbon emissions and emission intensity, improve the carbon emission statistics and accounting system and carbon footprint management system, and further expand the coverage of the carbon emission trading market. Formulate the Outline of the Plan for Building a Strong Energy Country. Focus on building a new power system, accelerate the construction of smart grids, develop new energy storage, and expand the application of green electricity. Strengthen the clean and efficient utilization of fossil energy.