China's new power system enters accelerated transition, new energy accelerating to become main power source

CHONGLI, Hebei, September 23 (China News Service) — Reporter: Ruan Yulin — China's energy and power industry is currently at a crucial juncture, transitioning from "quantitative accumulation" to "qualitative leap," with the construction of a new-type power system entering an accelerated transformation period.

The 2026 New-Type Power System Development (Chongli) Forum, hosted by the China Electricity Council (CEC), was held on September 22 in Chongli, Hebei Province. The above remarks were made by Bai Yong, Chairman and Party Secretary of China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd., at the forum. He emphasized the need to coordinate development and safety, efficiency and fairness, as well as the whole and the parts, supporting high-quality development of new energy and the construction of a new-type power system with system-friendly capabilities.

Key Remarks from Officials and Industry Leaders

He Yang, Deputy Director of the National Energy Administration (NEA), stated that building a new-type power system is an effective measure to help achieve the "dual carbon" goals, a strategic choice for safeguarding national energy security, and a key pillar for constructing a new energy system. He stressed the importance of fully understanding the urgency of accelerating the construction of the new-type power system, and called for solid implementation of the "15th Five-Year Plan" for New-Type Power System Construction to enhance synergy. The "15th Five-Year Plan" period is critical for this effort, requiring coordinated efforts across generation, grid, load, and storage sectors, as well as strengthened collaboration among all stakeholders in the power industry.

Yan Guochun, General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of State Power Investment Corporation Limited, shared his understanding of the new-type power system in a keynote speech. He noted that new energy is accelerating its role as the main power source, system configurations are evolving toward multi-level coordination, and the traditional model of "load following generation" is shifting to "generation-load interaction." He also highlighted the accelerating integration of energy production and consumption, and the growing prominence of green electricity value.

Adnan Amin, President of the World Energy Council, pointed out that China is exploring, at an unprecedented scale and speed, how to achieve effective utilization of renewable energy, operation of digital grids, electrification of transportation and industry, and coordinated development of computing power and electricity. These experiences, he said, are worth promoting globally. Building the next-generation energy system requires investment, innovation, foresight, and cooperation. Only by working together across borders and building mutual trust can the world be provided with more and better energy.

Yang Kun, Party Secretary and Executive Vice Chairman of the China Electricity Council, noted that a new round of technological and industrial revolution is deepening, and China's energy and power industry is at a critical period for accelerating the construction of a new-type power system and building a strong energy nation. He emphasized the need to focus on new-type grid construction, coordinate generation, grid, load, and storage, and promote the synergistic development of main grids, distribution grids, and microgrids. Key directions include high-proportion new energy integration and "AI + Energy," with strengthened collaborative research and industrial technology linkages to advance technological iteration and computing-power-electricity synergy, fully supporting the national "Six Networks" infrastructure.

Lyu Jun, Chairman and Party Secretary of China Datang Corporation Limited, stated in his keynote speech that the power industry will enter a new phase dominated by clean energy substitution and green electricity. High-quality construction of the "dual mainstay" system requires five strong pillars: safety backup, supply-demand interaction, market mechanisms, green electricity consumption, and technological innovation. China Datang continues to optimize the development of next-generation thermal power, strengthen backup and supply security, and expand multi-energy complementary bases to increase green electricity supply capacity.

Wang Zhengpu, Deputy Secretary of the Hebei Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Hebei Province, said in his address that in recent years, Hebei has shouldered the political responsibility of energy security and green development, aiming to build a strong new-energy province. He noted that the province has made solid progress in transforming power production methods and industrial structures, and in advancing the construction of a new-type power system.

Forum Theme and Outcomes

The forum was held under the theme: "Building a New-Type Power System to Serve the Construction of a Strong Energy Nation."

During the forum, the following reports and achievements were released:

• China Electrification Annual Development Report 2026
• National Computing Power Center Electricity Consumption Index
• 2026 Zero-Carbon Park Certification Results

(End) [Editor: Wang Yiting]