China’s National Development and Reform Commission and National Energy Administration have released the 15th Five-Year Plan for Building a New Energy System, outlining the country’s energy transition roadmap through 2030. The plan sets a target for new energy sources to account for 30% of power generation by 2030 and calls for non-fossil energy to reach 25% of total energy consumption.
The strategy emphasizes integrated development across multiple energy types, combining centralized and distributed approaches and coordinating power and non-power uses. Onshore wind and solar power are expected to expand steadily on a large scale, while offshore wind projects will move into deeper and more distant waters. The plan also promotes large-scale deployment of concentrated solar power and ocean energy.
A notable element of the plan is the incorporation of electric vehicles (EVs) as a regulating resource for the power system. China aims to tap into the energy storage potential of its EV fleet by promoting smart, orderly charging and enabling vehicle-to-grid interaction. The goal is for aggregated, adjustable charging capacity from EVs to reach approximately 50 gigawatts by 2030, allowing vehicles to feed power back into the grid during peak demand.
The development of virtual power plants (VPPs) is also highlighted, with a target of over 50 gigawatts of regulating capacity by 2030. To support EV integration and grid resilience, charging infrastructure is expected to double, reaching 40 million units by the end of the decade.
Energy storage receives significant emphasis: pumped storage hydro capacity is projected to reach around 160 gigawatts, and new-type energy storage capacity is to climb to 300 gigawatts. Nuclear power development will focus on third-generation pressurized water reactor technology, with operating capacity planned to reach about 110 gigawatts.
Finally, the plan accelerates the growth of the hydrogen and green fuel sectors, aiming for renewable-based hydrogen production of 2 million tons by 2030. These measures collectively aim to reshape China’s energy system, enhance grid flexibility, and support the country’s broader decarbonization goals.
Source: CNEV Post
