New Energy Weekly Report

This week (April 14-18, 2025), the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration jointly issued the “Implementation Plan for the Special Action on Upgrading the New Generation of Coal Power (2025-2027)”. This plan aims to establish a comprehensive technical index system for coal power based on four key areas: clean carbon reduction, safety and reliability, efficient regulation, and intelligent operation. In industry news, the National Bureau of Statistics announced that energy production accelerated in March, with significant growth in the production of raw coal, crude oil, natural gas, and electricity. Additionally, Tsinghua University announced plans to establish four new colleges focused on energy and other disciplines. On the corporate front, the State Administration for Market Regulation revealed that China Resource Recycling Group has officially registered eight new subsidiaries.

Highlights of the Week

April 14: Launch of the New Generation Coal Power Upgrade Initiative

The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration launched the New Generation Coal Power Upgrade Initiative, which focuses on constructing a robust technical index system in the areas of clean carbon reduction, safety, efficiency, and intelligent operations. This initiative also includes upgrading existing units to enhance their performance and establishing pilot demonstrations for the new generation of coal power. Industry analysts estimate that the flexibility upgrade of thermal power nationwide could create a market space exceeding 10 billion yuan annually.

April 15: First Product Carbon Footprint Certification Guide Released

The State Administration for Market Regulation has released the first Product Carbon Footprint Certification Pilot Work Guide. This guide aims to facilitate the certification process through a clear, practical, and authoritative Q&A format, addressing common issues encountered during the pilot phase.

April 16: Key Emissions Units Identification

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued a notice regarding the 2025 National Carbon Emission Trading Market. It mandates that any unit in the power generation, steel, cement, or aluminum smelting industries with annual emissions reaching 26,000 tons of CO2 equivalent will be listed as a key emissions unit.

April 17: Significant Growth in Renewable Energy Certificates

Data from the National Energy Administration shows that in March 2025, 17.4 million green certificates were issued, marking a 9.39-fold increase year-on-year. The majority of these certificates (82.26%) were related to renewable energy projects.

April 18: Electricity Consumption and Production Growth

The National Energy Administration reported that total electricity consumption in March reached 828.2 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 4.8%. By sector, the first industry used 10.6 billion kWh (up 9.9%), the second industry consumed 557.8 billion kWh (up 3.8%), and the third industry accounted for 148.4 billion kWh (up 8.4%).

Corporate Developments

On April 14, China Petroleum announced a price reduction for gasoline and diesel by 480 yuan and 465 yuan per ton, effective April 17 at midnight. Additionally, the first quarter saw a 43.2% increase in exports of wind turbines, highlighting the ongoing role of new energy products in global green transitions.

Tsinghua University’s New Initiatives

In a recent meeting, Tsinghua University announced plans to establish four new colleges focused on AI, international STEAM education, energy, and future engineering, with the energy college aiming to cultivate innovative leaders in the energy field.

Coal Imports and Production Statistics

According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s coal imports totaled 115 million tons in the first quarter of 2025, a slight decrease of 0.9% compared to the previous year. However, the National Bureau of Statistics reported production increases for raw coal, crude oil, natural gas, and electricity in March.

New Energy Projects and Innovations

China’s energy sector continues to witness significant developments, including the establishment of China Resource Recycling Group‘s new subsidiaries and the successful commissioning of the world’s largest dual-fuel container ship, the CMA CGM SEINE. Furthermore, LONGi Green Energy achieved a new record for the conversion efficiency of silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells at 34.85%.

As the transition to sustainable energy continues, these initiatives and developments reflect a strong commitment to enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints across various sectors.