Investment in new business models in China’s energy transition accelerates, with investment in onshore wind rising 50% year-on-year.
China’s energy-sector investments saw rapid growth in 2025, with investment in key projects exceeding 3.5tn yuan ($500bn) for the first time, reports energy news outlet International Energy Net, covering a National Energy Administration (NEA) press conference.
An NEA official said investment in new business models in China’s energy transition accelerated, with investment in onshore wind rising 50% year-on-year and doubling in key new-energy storage and hydrogen projects. The official noted China’s renewable-sourced power generation exceeded the EU’s total electricity consumption while another NEA official said China’s total installed capacity of green hydrogen exceeded 250,000 tonnes a year, double the 2024 figure.
International Energy Net cites a third NEA official saying that China’s green electricity certificate market demonstrated robust growth in both volume and value in 2025.
Speaking at the NEA press conference, Xing Yiteng, deputy director of China’s Development Planning Department, cited three key achievements. He said: “First, nergy security was effectively guaranteed. 2025 was the year with the best energy supply performance since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Raw coal production remained stable, with the output of raw coal from industrial enterprises above designated size increasing by 1.2% year-on-year.
“Oil and gas production both reached record highs, with crude oil production from industrial enterprises above designated size increasing by 1.5% year-on-year and natural gas production from industrial enterprises above designated size increasing by 6.2% year-on-year. Electricity supply was stable and orderly, with a number of ultra-high-voltage direct current transmission projects put into operation and supplying electricity, and the level of complementarity and mutual assistance in the power system continued to improve.
“Second, the pace of green and low-carbon transformation has accelerated. A series of policies and measures have been formulated and implemented to promote the integrated development of new energy sources, facilitate the consumption and regulation of new energy, and help improve the quality and efficiency of new energy development. The newly installed capacity of wind and solar power exceeded 430 million kilowatts throughout the year, bringing the cumulative installed capacity to over 1.8 billion kilowatts, with renewable energy accounting for more than 60% of the total installed capacity. Renewable energy power generation reached approximately 4 trillion kilowatt-hours, exceeding the combined electricity consumption of the 27 EU member states (approximately 3.8 trillion kilowatt-hours).
“Third, the industry has achieved remarkable results in orderly development. The comprehensive rectification of the ‘involutionary’ competition in the photovoltaic industry has been deepened. By the end of 2025, the prices of polysilicon and silicon wafers reached 53.86 yuan/kg and 1.329 yuan/piece respectively, representing increases of 52.0% and 35.6% compared to the annual low. Comprehensive measures have ensured stable coal production, supply, and prices, guiding spot prices within a reasonable range. By the end of 2025, the spot price of 5500 kcal thermal coal at Bohai Rim ports reached 690 yuan/ton, an increase of 75 yuan/ton compared to the annual low.”
