21st Century Business Herald:

The action plan for quickly building a new type of power system (2024-2027) was released to the public recently. Could you please provide an update on the current progress of constructing such a system and outline the considerations for future steps? Thank you.

Zhang Jianhua:

Thank you for your questions. Mr. Wan will address them.  

Wan Jinsong:

Thank you for your questions; they are indeed pertinent. To drive the energy transition, it is imperative to vigorously develop new energy sources. To achieve this, we must expedite the construction of a new type of power system that is clean and low-carbon, secure and adequate, economical and efficient, supply-demand coordinated, flexible and intelligent. In recent years, our energy sector has strengthened overall planning, advancing the construction of the new power system through policies, platforms, capabilities and markets.

In terms of policies, we are continuously refining the policy framework for the new power system. Recently, as you have noted, the National Development and Reform Commission, the NEA, and the National Data Administration jointly issued the action plan to quickly build a new type of power system (2024-2027). Based on the current stage of development, the plan focuses on key areas urgently needing breakthroughs in the near term for the construction of the new system. By selecting typical and representative directions to advance work, it aims to address major issues through sharply focused efforts. We've proposed nine special actions to coordinate the development of the new power system. For instance, the plan proposes expanding the network of electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities. This will not only meet the charging needs of EVs but also promote greater new energy consumption through vehicle-grid integration. 

In terms of platforms, we're strengthening the power grid's role in resource allocation. We continue to improve the main grid structure, advance the planning and construction of trans-provincial and trans-regional transmission channels, and upgrade and transform distribution networks. By the end of 2025, China's trans-provincial and trans-regional transmission capacity is expected to reach 360 million kilowatts. The distribution network will be capable of accommodating around 500 million kilowatts of distributed new energy sources and approximately 12 million charging piles. The grid's capacity to carry and allocate power resources will significantly improve.

In terms of capabilities, we're strengthening flexible regulation capacity. We continue to promote the "three reforms" of coal-fired power plants in energy conservation, heat supply and flexibility. These efforts further improve coal power's efficient regulation performance and clean, low-carbon levels. We're coordinating the development of regulatory resources such as pumped storage and new energy storage while deeply tapping into demand response and regulation capabilities. Since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the country has completed the "three reforms" for coal-fired power units exceeding 740 million kilowatts. As of the end of June this year, the installed capacity of pumped storage nationwide reached 54.39 million kilowatts, while the installed capacity of new energy storage was 44.44 million kilowatts.

Regarding markets, we're fully leveraging their decisive role in resource allocation. We're actively promoting the construction of a unified national electricity market system. Through market transactions, we aim to guide the efficient and rational use of electricity, invigorate the vitality of business entities, and promote the large-scale optimization of electricity resources. In 2023, the volume of electricity traded in the Chinese power market accounted for 61.4% of total electricity consumption nationwide.

Looking ahead, we'll adhere to planning-led development, focusing on research and preparation for the 15th Five-Year Plan for energy and electricity development. We'll establish and improve working mechanisms, issue implementation plans for special actions, and efficiently and orderly advance the implementation of various actions for the new power system. We'll continuously enhance the grid's capacity for absorbing, distributing, and regulating clean energy. Thank you.