Qinghai introduces new policies to support independent bidding for solar thermal projects

In order to promote the large-scale development of solar thermal power generation, the People's Government of Qinghai Province recently issued the "Several Measures for Promoting the Scale Development of Solar Thermal Power Generation in Qinghai Province". The document proposes to support incremental independent solar thermal projects included in the development and construction plan to independently conduct mechanism electricity price bidding one year before the prescribed completion deadline. The policy will comprehensively consider factors such as the comprehensive income of enterprises and the value of green electricity to set a reasonable upper limit for bidding, and set a lower limit for bidding based on the principle of not being lower than the project cost, with a starting lower limit of 0.55 yuan/kWh. The lower limit will moderately decrease year by year, with the goal of achieving comparable prices to coal-fired power by 2030.Editor/Yang Meiling

Gansu Zhangye launches energy storage battery separator project

Recently, Zhangye City in Gansu Province publicly released an investment notice for the "Zhangye Economic Development Zone Energy Storage Battery Diaphragm Project", promoting the investment opportunities of this energy storage battery separator industry project to the outside world. It is reported that the project plans to construct 2 to 6 ultra wide high-speed diaphragm production lines, 7 to 21 coating production lines, and corresponding supporting facilities. The total investment estimate for the project is about 3 billion yuan, and the expected annual output value after completion is 3.5 billion yuan. The project construction site is located in the Circular Economy Demonstration Park of Zhangye Economic Development Zone, and the investment contact unit is the Development and Reform Commission of Zhangye City.Editor/Yang Meiling

State Grid Gansu releases its 15th Five Year Plan for the power grid

At the press conference on March 2, 2026, State Grid Gansu Electric Power Company announced the latest progress of the 15th Five Year Plan as a pioneer of the power grid. It is reported that Gansu ranks first in the northwest in terms of approved construction scale in the field of pumped storage, and four projects have entered the main construction phase. Of particular note is that the installed capacity of new energy storage in Gansu Province has exceeded 7.9 million kilowatts in the first year of the 15th Five Year Plan.Editor/Yang Meiling

US Israel attack on Iran triggers shipping interruption

On the evening of February 28th local time, the attack by the United States and Israel on Iran caused a sudden halt to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and multiple super tankers heading to the Persian Gulf had their routes interrupted. Professor Wan Zhe from Beijing Normal University pointed out that geopolitical risks are the core driving force behind the short-term surge in oil prices. From a long-term perspective, the ongoing conflicts in recent years have continuously exposed the fragility of the global energy supply chain. According to expert analysis, this situation may prompt countries to further strengthen their energy independence strategies, accelerate their layout in areas such as grid independence, distributed energy, and hydrogen energy, and thus promote the overall process of global energy transformation in complex changes.Editor/Yang Meiling

The spot price of lithium carbonate plummeted by 6.67% in a single day

On March 3rd, the average spot price of battery grade lithium carbonate experienced a cliff like decline, with a single ton quotation dropping by 11500 yuan to 161000 yuan/ton, a daily decrease of 6.67%. Affected by this, the stock prices of related lithium mining listed companies collectively fell, with Ganfeng Lithium's stock price dropping by more than 10% and Tianqi Lithium's stock price dropping by more than 8%.Editor/Yang Meiling

Shenzhen releases list of major projects for 2026

The Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission released the "List of Major Projects in Shenzhen for 2026" on February 28. The list involves 832 major projects with a total investment of approximately 3.2 trillion yuan, and the planned investment for 2026 is approximately 309.1 billion yuan. The project unit includes multiple energy storage related enterprises, such as BYD, Coaster New Energy, etc. In the field of energy storage, the list clearly includes an independent energy storage power station project with a scale of 200MW/400MWh, as well as multiple energy storage industrialization and research and development projects.Editor/Yang Meiling

Beijing 2026 Key Project Plan Released

Beijing recently issued the "Beijing 2026 Key Project Plan", which will implement "3 100" key projects in 2026, covering the fields of scientific and technological innovation, infrastructure, and people's livelihood improvement. In the announced project list, multiple large-scale electrochemical energy storage bases are listed as key construction tasks. These projects aim to enhance the power grid regulation and emergency support capabilities, and support the transformation and safe operation of Beijing's energy structure.Editor/Yang Meiling

Draft Outline of the 15th Five Year Plan and Government Work Repor

On February 28, 2026, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a meeting to review the draft outline of the 15th Five Year Plan and the annual government work report, in preparation for the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The meeting made arrangements around high-quality development, livelihood security, reform and opening up, and security and stability, clarifying the overall ideas and key tasks for the next stage of economic and social development, and releasing strong signals of stable expectations and boosting confidence.Editor/Bian Wenjun

Inner Mongolia announces first batch of compensation list for independent energy storage

On February 25, 2026, Inner Mongolia Energy Bureau announced a list of independent new energy storage power stations that meet compensation standards. A total of 31 power stations were selected, with a total scale of 10.17 gigawatts/42.96 gigawatt hours. The largest of these is the Bayannur Hetao New Energy Storage Special Action Project, reaching 1 gigawatt/4 gigawatt hours. From the perspective of investment entities, Haibosichuang leads with a total participation scale of 1.4 gigawatts/7.4 gigawatt hours, while Yuanjing Energy closely follows with four projects totaling 1.7 gigawatts/6.8 gigawatt hours. The list also includes projects participated by multiple companies such as Xingchen New Energy, Ganfeng, and Ningde Times.Editor/Yang Meiling

Three Gorges International's overseas installed capacity exceeds 19.7 million kilowatts

According to data from February 2026, Three Gorges International, as the main platform for Three Gorges Group's overseas clean energy investment, had a total asset value of approximately 120 billion yuan by the end of 2024. Its business covers 12 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with a total installed power generation capacity of over 19.7 million kilowatts. All 90 of its holding power stations are clean energy, producing over 35.7 billion kilowatt hours of clean electricity in 2024. The company has five regional companies, namely Three Gorges South Asia, Europe, Brazil, Latin America, and Asia Africa. In 2021, it introduced international investment to achieve equity diversification and is currently accelerating its global clean energy layout.Editor/Gao Xue

China National Offshore Oil Corporation invests 120 billion yuan to explore blue energy

In February 2026, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) released its annual capital expenditure plan, with a total amount of 120 billion yuan, and for the first time, it explicitly stated that 30% would be invested in the new energy sector. About 84 billion yuan will be used for offshore oil and gas exploration and development to solidify the foundation of energy security; 36 billion yuan is being invested in green and low-carbon businesses such as offshore wind power, green electricity, green hydrogen, and CCUS. The company has simultaneously established new energy companies in Shanwei, Guangdong, Yancheng, Jiangsu and other places, and linked 18 MW ultra large wind turbine technology with Yuanjing Energy to accelerate the development of deep-sea offshore wind power. This is the first time that traditional oil and gas central enterprises have explicitly stated the proportion of new energy investment in their annual budget, marking the comprehensive implementation of the dual wheel drive strategy.Editor/Gao Xue

Guangzhou's Zengcheng Now Accepting Bids for First Batch of 2026 Energy Storage Stations

The Development and Reform Bureau of Zengcheng District, Guangzhou recently issued a notice to organize the application for the construction plan of the first batch of new energy storage power station projects in 2026. According to the requirements, new energy storage projects on the power supply and grid sides need to be included in the provincial construction plan before they can be connected to the grid. The application adopts a rolling plan approach, aiming to promote the construction of regional energy storage facilities in an orderly manner, support the peak shaving of the power grid and the demand for new energy consumption.Editor/Yang Meiling

PipeChina's natural gas pipeline transportation business achieves high innovation

In January 2026, the natural gas pipeline transportation business of PipeChina Group exceeded 30 billion cubic meters in both upstream and downstream volumes, with a year-on-year growth rate of over 14%, setting a new historical high for the same period. As of the end of January 2026, PipeChina Group has cumulatively put into operation 425 new upstream and downstream projects, forming an energy transmission system that connects gas fields, gas storage facilities, and consumer markets.Editor/Cheng Liting

Zhejiang standardizes the management of virtual power plants

The Zhejiang Electric Power Trading Center has issued an information disclosure reminder stating that virtual power plants (including load aggregators and distributed new energy aggregators) will continue to meet registration requirements for the year 2026. According to the requirements, registered virtual power plants must publicly disclose proof of continuous compliance with registration conditions, including assets, personnel, business premises, and technical support systems, through the electricity trading platform before the end of March each year. This regulation is implemented in accordance with the Basic Rules for Electricity Market Registration and the Management Measures for Electricity Sales Companies, in order to strengthen the compliance management of market entities.Editor/Yang Meiling

China's 300 MW F-class gas turbine achieves mass production

In January 2026, China's fully independently developed 300 MW F-class heavy-duty gas turbine will achieve mass production, with a localization rate of over 98%, and all core thermal components will be independently developed. The combined cycle thermal efficiency of this model has exceeded 64% and has safely operated for over 8000 hours. Its successful mass production marks China's breaking of the long-term technological monopoly of the West, providing key support for ensuring energy security and promoting high-end equipment to go global.Editor/Gao Xue

State Grid and CEE jointly discuss high-quality development of energy and electricity

State Grid Corporation of China Chairman Zhang Zhigang and General Manager Zhang Wenfeng held talks with China Electric Equipment Group Chairman Li Hongfeng and General Manager Yan Huafeng at the headquarters. Both sides agree that the equipment manufacturing industry is a core component of the modern industrial system and plays an important role in safeguarding national security and promoting high-quality development. Around the development goals of energy and power in the 15th Five Year Plan, both sides will strengthen the coordination of the industrial chain and enhance their independent and controllable capabilities; Deepen forward-looking technological cooperation and promote the integration of technology and industrial innovation; Strengthen cooperation in major engineering support to ensure project safety and quality; Expand international business cooperation and provide high-quality services to jointly build the the Belt and Road.Editor/Yang Meiling

Henan Zhengzhou Railway adds 57 night trains

China Railway Group Zhengzhou Bureau will add 57 night high-speed trains from February 8 to February 15, 2026. Continuously expanding the transportation capacity of popular lines such as the Beijing Guangzhou high-speed railway, Beijing Shanghai high-speed railway, Jinan Zhengzhou high-speed railway, Zhengzhou Chongqing high-speed railway, and Zhengzhou Fuzhou high-speed railway, providing more choices for passengers' travel. The newly added night high-speed rail mainly runs to Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other directions. Editor/Cheng Liting

The basic framework of China's digital twin water conservancy system has been formed

The framework of China's digital twin water conservancy system has been basically formed, and efforts are being made to continuously promote better water treatment outcomes for the benefit of the people. In the construction of digital twin watersheds, 94 pilot tasks have been fully completed, and a number of replicable and promotable typical practice cases have been created; In terms of the construction of digital twin water networks, 14 provincial-level water network pilot zones will be promoted in batches to gradually improve the digital control efficiency of water networks; In the construction of digital twin water conservancy projects, 11 key projects such as the Three Gorges Dam and the South to North Water Diversion Project have been put into practical application. 49 digital twin irrigation areas have been piloted, and 230 digital twin rural water supply projects have achieved phased results. Editor/Cheng Liting

Global energy investment reaches $2.3 trillion

By 2025, global energy investment will reach 2.3 trillion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 8%. Among them, the investment in electrified transportation is 893 billion US dollars, and the investment in renewable energy is 690 billion US dollars. The data center investment is about 500 billion US dollars, surpassing solar photovoltaic investment for the first time. China leads with $800 billion investment, but renewable energy financing has declined.Editor/Gao Xue

Anhui will start over 2000 key projects by 2026

In 2026, Anhui Province will implement an effective investment promotion campaign, with over 2000 key projects starting throughout the year. During the 14th Five Year Plan period, the gross domestic product of Anhui Province has crossed two trillion yuan steps, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%; The revenue of industrial enterprises above designated size has risen to fifth place, entering the ranks of major industrial provinces, and the high-quality development index of the manufacturing industry has risen to sixth place in the country. By 2025, the gross domestic product of Anhui region will reach 5.3 trillion yuan, with a growth rate of 5.5%; The total import and export volume has exceeded one trillion yuan; The actual growth rate of foreign investment utilization ranks first in the country. Editor/Cheng Liting

By 2025, the added value of China's machinery industry will increase by 8.2%

On February 5th, the China Machinery Industry Federation released data showing that the added value of enterprises above designated size in the machinery industry will increase by 8.2% year-on-year in 2025, with a growth rate higher than that of the national industrial and manufacturing industries. The annual automobile production and sales have remained the world's top for 17 consecutive years, with industrial robot production increasing by 28% to 773000 sets. The industry's revenue has exceeded 33 trillion yuan, with a total profit of 1.7 trillion yuan. By the end of 2025, the number of specialized, refined, and new enterprises in the mechanical industry will account for over 30% of the national total. It is expected that the industry will maintain stable operation in 2026, with a main indicator growth rate of about 5.5%.Editor/Yang Meiling

China and Laos jointly declare 2026 as the 'Good Year for China and Laos'

On February 5th, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping replied to General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President Thongloun, jointly announcing that 2026 will be designated as the "China Laos Friendship Year" and launching a series of celebration activities.Editor/Yang Meiling

Qinghai Clean Energy Industry Highland Research Group deploys key tasks for 2026

The Northwest Energy Regulatory Bureau, in conjunction with the Qinghai Provincial Energy Bureau, recently held the 2025 annual summary meeting of the Qinghai Construction National Clean Energy Industry Highland Research Group, releasing four research results, including a study on the utilization efficiency of new energy in Qinghai's 15th Five Year Plan, a study on the path of multi energy complementary integration, a study on the development prospects of the solar thermal industry chain, and the research and application of new energy storage technologies. The meeting also deployed the key research work for 2026, emphasizing the need to strengthen research in new energy storage, solar thermal and other fields to support the high-quality development of Qinghai's clean energy industry.Editor/Yang Meiling

Two ministries introduce independent energy storage capacity pricing policies

The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration recently issued a notice on improving the capacity pricing mechanism on the power generation side, clarifying that capacity pricing will be given to independent new energy storage power stations on the grid side that serve the safe operation of the power system and do not participate in distribution and storage. The electricity price standard is based on the local coal-fired power capacity electricity price, converted according to a certain proportion based on peak capacity, with a maximum conversion ratio not exceeding 1, and taking into account the construction of the electricity market and system demand, further promoting the large-scale development of new energy storage.Editor/Yang Meiling

Ruipu Lanjun's first profit of 2 billion by 2025! Multi track product development

On February 2, 2026, Ruipu Lanjun announced that it is expected to make its first profit in 2025, with a net profit of 630 million to 730 million yuan, a turnaround of about 2 billion yuan from 2024. This is due to the increase in shipments of power and energy storage batteries driving revenue growth, and the improvement in capacity utilization and cost reduction and efficiency improvement driving gross profit growth. In 2024, its losses will be significantly reduced, with shipments exceeding 23GWh in the third quarter. In 2025, Ruipu Lanjun will focus on the three major sectors of energy storage, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles, launching multiple battery cells and system products in various segmented tracks to accurately capture growth potential points. Editor/Cheng Liting

China's new energy storage installed capacity exceeds 130 million kilowatts

On January 30, 2026, Bian Guangqi, Deputy Director of the Energy Conservation and Technology Equipment Department of the National Energy Administration, announced at a regular press conference that by the end of 2025, the installed capacity of new energy storage in China had reached 136 million kilowatts/351 million kilowatt hours, an increase of 84% from the end of 2024 and more than 40 times from the end of the 13th Five Year Plan. The average energy storage time had increased to 2.58 hours. From a regional distribution perspective, North China and Northwest China have become the growth cores, with installed capacity accounting for 32.5% and 28.2% of the country's total, respectively. In 2025, the newly installed capacity in the two regions will be 21.88 million kilowatts and 19.66 million kilowatts respectively, accounting for a total of 66.8% of the country's total new capacity.Editor/Yang Meiling

Zhiguang Electric's profit forecast increases

At the beginning of the 15th Five Year Plan in 2026, State Grid and Southern Power Grid launched a nearly 5 trillion yuan investment plan, with energy storage becoming a key development focus. Zhiguang Electric announced on the evening of January 27th that it expects a net profit attributable to the parent company of 110 million to 160 million yuan in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 133.69% to 149.01%, achieving a turnaround from losses to profits, mainly due to the rapid development of energy storage business and significant growth in orders and revenue. The company's cascaded high-voltage energy storage system is adapted to the three major upgrade areas of the power grid and has been successfully implemented in energy storage projects in Inner Mongolia, Gansu and other places. It is expected to further grow in the new round of power grid construction.Editor/Gao Xue

Tech giants enter the coastal nuclear power market

In 2026, technology and new energy enterprises are accelerating their entry into the coastal nuclear power field. Alibaba recently invested in the Xiangshan nuclear power project in Zhejiang, locking in clean energy for its computing center. Geely Group continues to participate in the Wenzhou San'ao Nuclear Power Project, with an increased shareholding ratio, forming a new pattern of "central enterprises leading and private capital empowering". Meanwhile, companies such as CATL and Tesla provide support for the stable operation of nuclear power through energy storage cooperation and other means. This move conforms to the trend of relaxing the policy of private investment in nuclear power, highlighting the importance of nuclear power in ensuring energy security and supporting computing power demand.Editor/Gao Xue

Hunan promotes the integrated development of transportation and energy

On January 26, 2026, the Development and Reform Commission of Hunan Province issued the "Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Integrated Development of Transportation and Energy in Hunan Province". The opinion clearly states that newly built or renovated transportation hubs such as railway stations, airport hubs, ports, and bus stations need to reserve photovoltaic construction conditions on the roof, and reserve construction conditions for energy storage facilities and prefabricated substations in the site area. The document encourages transportation stations to build energy storage systems as needed, establish an integrated microgrid system of source, network, load, and storage, and advocate the priority use of renewable energy such as geothermal energy and air energy for cold and hot supply. This move aims to strengthen the integration and mutual assistance between the power grid and the transportation network, plan energy storage facilities in advance to support the medium and long-term energy demand in the transportation sector, and achieve infrastructure co construction and coordinated development.Editor/Yang Meiling

Multiple provinces finalize 2026 water conservancy investment plan

At the beginning of 2026, several provinces have held annual water conservancy work conferences and clarified investment plans. Fujian Province plans to invest 50 billion yuan, Henan Province aims to exceed 60 billion yuan, and Shanxi Province expects to invest over 22 billion yuan. Hebei Province emphasizes that it will continue to maintain a high level of water conservancy investment. The official proposal is that by 2026, the national water conservancy construction will maintain a large-scale and high-level trend, and the planning of each province has formed a hierarchical layout. Hubei Province plans to promote a number of major water network projects and has established a billion yuan water conservancy industry fund by 2025 to prepare for major water conservancy project investments during the 15th Five Year Plan period.Editor/Gao Xue