China's new energy road map for the next five years aims to advance the country's green transition while keeping fossil fuels firmly at hand, as a hedge in an uncertain world. Investment in major energy projects over 2026-30 is expected to top 20 trillion yuan ($2.8 trillion). While some targets signal genuine progress, observers warn that the headline goals are conservative — reflecting a persistent prioritization of energy security in a system still deeply dependent on coal. But the regulators’ plan may prove to be a floor rather than a ceiling, observers say, given China’s track record of consistently beating its clean‑energy targets.
China’s New Energy Plan Focuses on Security
China's new five-year plan puts energy security first — and sets targets soft enough to beat.
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