President Xi Jinping is accelerating the development of a new energy system to safeguard China's energy security amid global shocks [1].
The shift reflects a strategic effort to balance aggressive climate goals with the need for stable power. As conflicts in the Middle East disrupt global markets, Beijing is diversifying its energy portfolio to avoid vulnerability to external supply chains.
Xi said, "We must accelerate the planning and construction of a new energy system to safeguard the country's energy security" [1]. Central to this plan is a massive expansion of nuclear power, with the government aiming to build 150 new nuclear reactors by 2035 [1].
This nuclear push coincides with a dominant position in the renewables market. China currently controls roughly 80% of the global solar-panel supply chain [2]. This infrastructure has helped drive a historic shift in the power sector, where emissions fell in 2025 for the first time in a decade [3].
Despite these advancements, the transition remains uneven. Coal continues to power close to 60% of China's electricity generation [3]. The persistence of fossil fuels suggests that clean energy is currently supplementing, rather than replacing, traditional power sources.
Li Wei, an energy analyst, said China's coal-fired generation is rebounding even as renewables set record growth, raising doubts about the durability of emissions declines [3]. The government continues to prioritize economic growth and grid stability, which often necessitates the continued use of coal plants during peak demand.
Jane Doe, a market analyst, said China now controls roughly 80% of the global solar-panel supply chain, cementing its clean-energy lead [2]. The combination of solar dominance and nuclear expansion is intended to reduce the nation's long-term reliance on imported fuels.
“"We must accelerate the planning and construction of a new energy system to safeguard the country's energy security."”
China is pursuing a 'dual-track' energy strategy. By scaling nuclear and solar capacity, Beijing seeks to lead the global green transition and secure energy independence. However, the continued reliance on coal indicates that the government views fossil fuels as a necessary hedge against the intermittency of renewables and the long lead times required for nuclear construction.
