Weekly Environmental Observation

Ningde Times, Sunshine Power, and other major energy storage companies are engaged in closed-door discussions to combat excessive competition. Meanwhile, Trump continues to loosen regulations for coal power, and the U.S. Department of Energy may cut nearly $10 billion in clean energy funding.

<h2>New Generation Coal Power Upgrade Action Plan (2025-2027)</h2>
On April 14, the <b>National Development and Reform Commission</b> and the <b>National Energy Administration</b> officially issued the <b>New Generation Coal Power Upgrade Action Plan (2025-2027)</b>. This plan aims to promote the renovation and upgrade of existing coal power units, striving to enhance the performance indicators of newly established units. The plan also encourages the orderly development of new coal power pilot demonstrations. By 2027, it targets the renovation and construction of coal power units capable of rapid load adjustment in areas where the grid's rapid adjustment needs are not met, as well as units with deep peak regulation capabilities in peak-shaving-deficient areas. Additionally, it will promote low-carbon transformation of coal power in line with regional characteristics and resource endowments.

<h2>Carbon Emissions Trading Market Deployment</h2>
On April 15, the <b>Ministry of Ecology and Environment</b> issued a notice regarding the operations of the national carbon emissions trading market for 2025. The notice outlines that the directory of key emission units will be compiled annually by industry. Units in the power generation, steel, cement, and aluminum smelting sectors with annual direct emissions reaching 26,000 tons of CO2 equivalent will be included in this directory.

<h2>U.S. Energy Department Funding Cuts</h2>
According to a report by the <b>Wall Street Journal</b> on April 18, the U.S. Department of Energy is considering significant funding cuts, potentially halting nearly $10 billion in clean energy project funding. This reduction may impact advanced technologies and emerging industries, including hydrogen, carbon capture, and energy storage. These proposed cuts are part of a government downsizing plan initiated by Trump through the <b>Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)</b>, which could lead to thousands of job losses at the Department of Energy.

<h2>Trump's Environmental Rollbacks</h2>
On April 15, a report from <b>Reuters</b> revealed that the Trump administration had granted temporary exemptions from environmental regulations to 66 coal-fired power plants owned by 47 companies. These exemptions relate to mercury and toxic air pollutants regulations and are seen as an effort to bypass stricter environmental standards set by the Biden administration. Previously, on April 8, Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding U.S. coal mining and usage.

<h2>Vietnam's Coal Phase-Out Plan</h2>
On April 20, an article from <b>Digital New Energy (DNE)</b> reported that the Vietnamese government has approved the latest revision of its <b>Power Development Plan VIII</b>, which proposes a significant increase in wind and solar power capacity to meet growing electricity demand, with a goal to cease coal-fired power generation by 2050.

<h2>Industry Leaders Discuss Healthy Competition</h2>
On April 15, <b>Sina Finance</b> reported that the <b>China Photovoltaic Industry Association</b> organized a meeting to address the issue of destructive competition in the photovoltaic inverter and energy storage sectors. Executives from leading companies such as <b>Ningde Times</b>, <b>Sunshine Power</b>, <b>Huawei</b>, <b>Yiwei Lithium Energy</b>, <b>CRRC Zhuzhou Institute</b>, <b>Zhejiang Chint</b>, <b>TSMC</b>, <b>Jinko Solar</b>, <b>Goodwe</b>, and <b>ShenNeng Electric</b> participated in the discussions. The meeting reviewed an initiative for healthy industry development, which has already undergone initial feedback collection, although it did not cover pricing, quotas, or deposits.

<h2>Tesla's New Model Y Begins International Deliveries</h2>
According to a report by <b>The Paper</b>, Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory has commenced bulk exports of the refreshed Model Y to international markets as of April 14. On that day, the Panama-flagged vessel <b>Great Step</b> loaded nearly 3,500 electric vehicles produced at the Shanghai factory, including 3,015 units of the new Model Y, departing for Australia the following day. This marks the first bulk export of the refreshed Model Y from the Shanghai Gigafactory.