Recently, the electricity load of Guangdong’s power grid hit a new historical high for the third time this year, making Guangdong the first province in China to exceed 170 million kilowatts in electricity load this year. As the country’s largest electricity-consuming province, the development of new productive forces such as high-end manufacturing and data computing centers in Guangdong relies heavily on the key support of green electricity.

Guangdong’s “15th Five-Year Plan” outline also mentions that by 2030, the proportion of non-fossil energy power installations will exceed 55%, and new clean energy electricity will cover the entire increase in social electricity consumption.

Driven by both policy and demand, a series of “green transformations” are accelerating: In February, the development of Guangdong’s first batch of virtual power plants entered a market-oriented acceleration phase, participating in electricity spot market trading through a “report volume and price” method; starting May 12, the first cross-provincial “point-to-point” green electricity for the Guangdong data center cluster was officially delivered.

This year’s World Environment Day theme is “Comprehensive Green Transformation, Building a Beautiful China.” Guangdong is putting this concept into practice, accelerating the shift from coal-dominated power to green electricity as the main source, making the energy supply base more stable while creating a “Guangdong model” for green transformation.

Guangdong’s power grid

Guangdong’s power grid is one of the largest and most advanced provincial electricity networks in China, serving the country’s most populous and economically dynamic region. Its history is closely tied to Guangdong’s rapid industrialization since the 1980s, evolving from a fragmented system into a highly integrated, ultra-high-voltage network that connects with the national grid. Today, it plays a critical role in powering manufacturing hubs like the Pearl River Delta and supports China’s energy transition by incorporating renewable sources such as nuclear, hydro, and offshore wind.

Guangdong

Guangdong is a coastal province in southern China known for its vibrant economy, rich culinary traditions, and cultural heritage. Historically, it was a key hub along the Maritime Silk Road and a center for trade and emigration, with cities like Guangzhou (Canton) playing a major role in ancient commerce and modern reform. Today, Guangdong is famous for its Cantonese cuisine, the Lingnan culture, and landmarks such as the Canton Tower and Kaiping Diaolou towers.

Guangdong’s “15th Five-Year Plan”

The “15th Five-Year Plan” for Guangdong Province is a strategic government roadmap covering 2026–2030, outlining the region’s economic, social, and environmental development goals. Building on Guangdong’s history as a pioneering economic hub in China, the plan focuses on innovation, high-quality manufacturing, and green growth, while deepening its role in the Greater Bay Area initiative. It represents a continuation of the province’s long-term planning tradition, aiming to balance rapid modernization with sustainable and inclusive progress.

Guangdong data center cluster

The Guangdong data center cluster refers to a major grouping of large-scale data centers in China’s Guangdong province, particularly concentrated in cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen. This cluster has grown rapidly since the 2010s, driven by the region’s status as a global technology and manufacturing hub, along with strong government support for digital infrastructure. It plays a crucial role in supporting cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence services for both domestic and international markets.

World Environment Day

World Environment Day is a global event celebrated annually on June 5th, established by the United Nations in 1972 to raise awareness and encourage action for environmental protection. Its history began with the first major UN conference on the human environment, which led to the creation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Each year, the day focuses on a specific theme, such as plastic pollution or ecosystem restoration, to inspire individuals and communities worldwide to contribute to a healthier planet.