Deputy Yang Changli: Building an energy powerhouse requires further accelerating the replacement of clean energy

This year marks the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan, and accelerating the development of a strong energy nation is a hot topic in the industry. Yang Changli, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Party Secretary and Chairman of China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), recently stated in interviews with media such as the Economic Information Daily that building a strong energy nation requires further speeding up the replacement of fossil fuels with clean energy and promoting a green, low-carbon energy structure transformation.

Since the Central Economic Work Conference in 2021 first proposed the goal of “accelerating the construction of a strong energy nation,” to the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee outlining strategic plans for energy development, and the inclusion of 16 “powerful country” construction targets in the 14th Five-Year Plan, as well as the 2025 Central Economic Work Conference clarifying the need to “formulate a master plan for building a strong energy nation,” the goals and strategic importance of energy development are clear and prominent.

In Yang Changli’s view, the core of building a strong energy nation is energy security. Strong supply capacity is fundamental and prerequisite; it must effectively meet the energy demands of national economic development and social stability. From the perspective of the power industry, he further breaks down four key points for building a strong energy nation.

First, safety and reliability are the foundation. Yang Changli emphasized that energy production and consumption should be safe and reliable at all stages. Continuous improvement of technology and equipment safety, reliability, and the consolidation of energy supply guarantees are essential to ensure safe, stable, and reliable energy supply, giving the country peace of mind and the people satisfaction.

Second, green and low-carbon development is the direction. “Developing environmentally friendly energy and achieving harmony with natural ecosystems is the fundamental solution to ecological and environmental issues, and a key measure to ensure the timely realization of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals,” Yang Changli said.

Third, economic efficiency is crucial. The most core goal is to make prices more reasonable and resource utilization more efficient. Yang Changli believes that for power generation companies, economic viability is the foundation of survival and a competitive advantage. They need to achieve reliable power supply at the lowest comprehensive cost and continuously improve resource utilization efficiency.

Fourth, independence and controllability are guarantees. Yang Changli pointed out that the energy sector must be in our own hands. Key core technologies must be firmly grasped, and the resilience and safety of the industrial and supply chains enhanced. The ability to prevent risks in critical resource areas should be improved, and innovation and development initiatives should be driven by self-reliance and self-strengthening in the energy field.

Looking back at the 14th Five-Year Plan, China’s energy supply guarantee capacity has been effectively improved, with the largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system in the world. The installed capacity of renewable energy has increased from about 40% to around 60%. Nearly 4 out of 10 kilowatt-hours of electricity used are green energy.

However, it is important not to overlook some existing issues. “Mainly, the energy supply structure has shortcomings and needs further optimization. The imbalance in regional development on the ‘source’ and ‘sink’ sides needs to be addressed, and the capacity for power system regulation needs to be accelerated,” Yang Changli admitted.

How to fill these gaps? How to solve these problems? Yang Changli’s answer is: always adhere to green development, firmly promote technological innovation, and continuously accelerate digital transformation.

“Based on China’s energy resource characteristics, pursuing green development is the only way,” he pointed out. In concrete actions, this means vigorously developing clean energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear, and promoting multi-energy complementarity and integrated fusion.

The reporter learned that CGN currently has 28 operational nuclear units, 20 units under construction, with a total installed capacity exceeding 56 million kilowatts. Domestic renewable energy installed capacity has surpassed 70 million kilowatts.

It is also revealed that during the 14th Five-Year Plan, CGN will adhere to technological independence and self-reliance, continuously upgrade the Hualong One reactor, and promote innovation in advanced reactor types and fuel. Meanwhile, CGN will leverage its role as a chain leader in the industry, drive upstream and downstream coordinated development, and enhance the autonomy and controllability of the industrial chain. Additionally, CGN plans to expand multi-application scenarios, develop zero-carbon nuclear energy parks, and actively promote coupling development of nuclear energy with traditional industries such as steel, petrochemicals, and marine chemicals, as well as develop large-scale “nuclear-wind-solar-storage” bases.

In the renewable energy sector, CGN is focusing on resource-rich areas such as the deserts and deep-sea regions of China, accelerating the development of large bases, and exploring new integrated development models. Demonstration projects include “desert management + photovoltaic agriculture,” “marine ranch + offshore wind power,” and “renewable energy + hydrogen and ammonia.”

As the share of renewable energy continues to rise, the demand for flexible regulation resources in the power system is increasing. “CGN has chosen to develop concentrated solar power (CSP) as an important measure to address the challenges of renewable energy development,” Yang Changli said.

CSP combines peak shaving and energy storage functions, enabling continuous and stable power generation, and providing effective support for new power systems. Looking ahead, CGN will leverage its role as a leader in the CSP industry chain, rely on innovation platforms like the Qinghai CSP Laboratory, and accelerate technological iteration and cost reduction. It will also expand integrated scenarios such as “CSP +,” actively explore high-proportion green power bases supported by CSP, and build “pure green” large-scale renewable energy bases to improve overall clean energy utilization efficiency.

Promoting coordinated development of various clean energy sources and digital transformation are also inevitable trends. Regarding specific pathways, Yang Changli explained, “We need to build smart power plants, promote full-chain digital interconnection of nuclear power, strengthen automation and intelligent technology applications, and realize intelligent construction and operation of nuclear plants. At the same time, we should explore new smart energy models, ensuring that various power sources can ‘support, adjust quickly, and stay stable’ when needed. The core is to empower with digital intelligence, improving operational efficiency and safety levels.”