Shou Xiaoli:
One last question, please.
The Poster News APP:
When it comes to energy, the general public is most concerned about whether there's enough electricity and natural gas for their homes. What specific measures has China taken to ensure energy supply for people's basic needs since the proposal of the new energy security strategy? Thank you.
Zhang Jianhua:
Thank you for your question. People's direct experience of high-quality energy development is that their energy needs have been met, and the quality of energy use has improved. In recent years, the NEA has upheld a people-centered approach, safeguarding energy supply for basic needs and continuously improving people's sense of fulfillment.
The quality and level of general energy services have greatly improved. China's natural gas consumption rose from 170.5 billion cubic meters in 2013 to over 390 billion cubic meters in 2023, ensuring natural gas supply for people's basic needs. The construction and upgrading of rural power grids have been vigorously advanced. By the end of 2015, all people in China had gained access to electricity, with China leading developing countries in achieving universal electricity access. By the end of 2020, the large power grid covered all counties nationwide, and villages within its coverage were provided with three-phase power, effectively ensuring power supply for rural production and life. Priorities have been given to ensure power supply for people's basic needs. We have guided local governments to unlock potential in demand response from the supply side and optimized power curb measures based on industrial structures, ensuring that electricity use for people's basic needs and important users is not affected. According to the World Bank's Business Enabling Environment assessment, China ranks 12th globally in the "Getting Electricity" indicator.
We have actively responded to people's expectations and needs for energy use in green living. We've promoted clean winter heating in northern China, tailored to local conditions, rapidly increasing the proportion of clean energy heating and significantly improving residential heating conditions. Charging infrastructure has developed rapidly, with nearly 10 million charging points for electric vehicles built. More than 95% of expressway service areas are now equipped with charging facilities. China has developed a charging infrastructure system with the largest number of facilities, the widest range of services, and the most complete types of charging facilities, supporting the energy needs of over 20 million new energy vehicles in China.
Energy projects have contributed to poverty alleviation and rural revitalization. Projects featuring comprehensive and complementary utilization of diverse energy sources, including photovoltaics, biomass energy and energy storage, have been built in agricultural industrial parks and villages where conditions allow. Poverty-alleviation photovoltaic power stations have been constructed and put into operation, with a total installed power-generating capacity of 26.36 million kilowatts. These stations generate an annual revenue of 18 billion yuan and benefit 4.15 million households that were lifted out of poverty.
Thank you!
Shou Xiaoli:
Thank you to Mr. Zhang, all the speakers, and our friends from the media. Today's briefing is now concluded. Goodbye.
Translated and edited by Wang Yiming, Zhang Junmian, Cui Can, Zhang Rui, Yan Xiaoqing, Xiang Bin, Wang Ziteng, Huang Shan, Liu Caiyi, Zhou Jing, Xu Kailin, Li Huiru, Liu Sitong, David Ball, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
