In March of this year, during an inspection in Xiong’an New Area, Hebei Province, it was emphasized: “Energy is a strategic issue in development” and “we must adhere to the path of clean, low-carbon development.”

In the first year of the “15th Five-Year Plan,” affected by geopolitical conflicts and other factors, oil prices in some countries have fluctuated sharply and supply has fallen short; in contrast, China’s energy supply has remained stable and orderly, with sufficient energy for production and living needs. This benefits from the country’s accelerated construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient new energy system, providing solid support for building an energy-strong nation.

One in the east and one in the west, two “mosts” witness the vibrant picture of building an energy-strong nation:

In Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, the world’s first 650-degree Celsius high-efficiency ultra-supercritical coal-fired unit is under accelerated construction at the Huaneng Yuhuan Power Plant. Pile foundation work for over 700 piles in the main plant and boiler house areas has been completed, and boiler steel structure hoisting is underway.

“Not long ago, the core pressure-bearing component of the unit—the high-pressure inner cylinder—achieved a single cast of over 50 tons of high-temperature alloy casting in one go,” said a chief expert at Huaneng Xi’an Thermal Power Research Institute. This “steel heart” is expected to be installed by the end of the year, and once the unit is completed, it will significantly enhance the clean and efficient utilization level of coal-fired power.

In Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, the world’s largest hybrid pumped-storage project, the Lianghekou pumped-storage power station, is undergoing main plant concrete pouring and electromechanical installation. Along with the simultaneous progress of the Kela Phase II photovoltaic power station, the Maoniushan wind power project, and others, the “progress bar” for the Yalong River Basin hydro-wind-solar integration base is constantly updating.

“The integration base has the advantages of multi-energy complementarity and multi-year regulation. During the ’15th Five-Year Plan’ period, its installed capacity will increase from nearly 23 million kilowatts to about 40 million kilowatts, with an expected annual power generation of 130 billion kilowatt-hours,” said the on-site commander of the Yalong River Lianghekou pumped-storage power station.

“Deeply implement the new energy security strategy, accelerate the construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient new energy system, and build an energy-strong nation.” The important deployment proposed in the “15th Five-Year Plan” outline is being accelerated and turned into reality—

Sufficient quantity and high quality, with continuous enhancement of energy security resilience.

Breaking through 4 billion cubic meters. Since the beginning of this year, China’s largest coal-rock gas (deep coalbed methane) field, the PetroChina Daqi Gas Field, has drilled over 20 new wells, driving a year-on-year increase of over 30% in daily gas production, with annual capacity reaching a new high.

Approaching 4 billion kilowatts. This is the national cumulative installed power generation capacity as of the end of March, a year-on-year increase of 15.5%.

In the first quarter, China’s energy supply grew steadily, with production of coal, crude oil, natural gas, and electricity all hitting historical highs for the same period.

Greater total volume, better layout. Since the beginning of this year, the over 800-kilometer-long Su-Wan-Yu trunk pipeline project has started construction, which will connect the “northern gas southbound” energy corridor and the West-East Gas Pipeline system, enabling bidirectional supply of onshore and offshore gas; the Panxi ultra-high voltage AC project with a total investment of approximately 23.2 billion yuan has started construction, significantly enhancing the clean energy transmission capacity of the southwestern region…

Optimizing the layout of energy backbone channels and import source structures, and enhancing the complementary and mutual support capabilities of the power system, have effectively improved the safety, stability, and economy of energy supply. In the first quarter, China imported 150 million tons of crude oil, a year-on-year increase of 8.9%, hitting a record high; fixed asset investments by the State Grid and China Southern Grid both achieved double-digit growth.

Moving steadily toward green, with a steady and rapid transformation of the energy structure.

The supply side is becoming greener. In February, the largest single photovoltaic base in a coal mining subsidence area in China—the Guoneng Ningxia

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Huaneng Yuhuan Power Plant

The Huaneng Yuhuan Power Plant is a large coal-fired power station located on Yuhuan Island in Zhejiang Province, China. Operated by China Huaneng Group, it began commercial operations between 2006 and 2007 and is notable for being one of the first ultra-supercritical coal power plants in the country, significantly improving efficiency and reducing emissions compared to older facilities. Its construction marked a major step in China’s efforts to modernize its energy infrastructure while meeting growing electricity demands.

Lianghekou pumped-storage power station

The Lianghekou pumped-storage power station is a major hydroelectric facility located in Sichuan Province, China, designed to store energy by pumping water to an upper reservoir during low-demand periods and releasing it to generate electricity during peak demand. Its construction, part of China’s broader push for renewable energy integration and grid stability, began in the 2010s and became operational in the early 2020s. The station plays a key role in balancing the intermittent output of nearby wind and solar farms, supporting the region’s clean energy transition.

Yalong River Basin hydro-wind-solar integration base

The Yalong River Basin hydro-wind-solar integration base is a major renewable energy project in China, designed to combine hydropower, wind, and solar generation for a stable and efficient power supply. Located in Sichuan Province, it leverages the region’s abundant water resources from the Yalong River alongside wind and solar farms. This initiative supports China’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 by optimizing clean energy output and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

PetroChina Daqi Gas Field

The PetroChina Daqi Gas Field is a major natural gas production site located in the Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, China. Discovered in the early 2000s, it is part of China’s broader efforts to develop domestic energy resources and reduce reliance on imports. The field plays a key role in supplying gas to the West–East Gas Pipeline, which transports energy to the country’s eastern regions.

Su-Wan-Yu trunk pipeline

The Su-Wan-Yu trunk pipeline is a major natural gas transportation project in China, connecting the Sichuan Basin to the Yangtze River Delta region. Its construction began in the early 2010s to help alleviate energy shortages in eastern China by transporting gas from the western gas fields. The pipeline spans over 2,000 kilometers and plays a crucial role in the country’s West-to-East Gas Transmission strategy.

West-East Gas Pipeline

The West-East Gas Pipeline is a major energy infrastructure project in China, designed to transport natural gas from the resource-rich western regions, such as Xinjiang, to the economically developed eastern and coastal areas. Its first line, completed in 2004, was a landmark initiative to reduce coal dependence and improve air quality, stretching over 4,000 kilometers. The project has since expanded with multiple lines, significantly contributing to China’s energy security and economic development.

Panxi ultra-high voltage AC project

The

Guoneng Ningxia

Guoneng Ningxia refers to a major energy project in China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, developed by the state-owned China Energy Investment Corporation (Guoneng). It encompasses large-scale coal, power, and renewable energy facilities, including solar and wind farms, as part of China’s efforts to modernize its energy infrastructure and reduce carbon emissions. The site reflects the region’s strategic importance in China’s energy transition, leveraging local coal reserves while integrating cleaner technologies.