AI enables sustainable energy transition

China's energy landscape is at a critical juncture as it is about to enter the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), marked by significant demand growth and structural transformations. With power consumption projected to rise by 4-5 percent annually, equal to about 500 terawatt-hours of new electricity demand each year, the country's power system has substantial investment opportunities. The construction of an intelligent power system also offers vast potential, with estimates indicating a trillion-yuan market opportunity over the next decade.

This development coincides with global energy restructuring marked by surging investments and digital solutions playing a pivotal role. As China balances international shifts and its own energy transition imperatives, a dual strategy integrating traditional and renewable energy sources has become vital. The coexistence of these sources will drive deep decarbonization and technological advancements, shaping the future of China's energy sector and industrial landscape.

According to the International Energy Agency, global renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, hydropower, and geothermal power are expected to surpass coal energy by 2025. In the "net-zero emissions by 2050" scenario, renewables will facilitate nearly complete decarbonization of electricity generation.