China Energy Information

China Energy Research

- China's Energy & Climate Policy Framework: China aims for carbon neutrality by 2060, with 30% non-fossil energy by 2035. Key policies include renewable expansion, energy efficiency, and a national carbon market. Multiple agencies coordinate energy and climate strategies, with provincial governments playing a significant role. The 14^th Five-Year Plan targets peak CO₂ emissions by 2030 and supports low-carbon development.

- China's Energy Companies: China's top five power firms control over 40% of capacity, with CNPC dominating oil and gas. State Grid and China Southern Power Grid manage transmission. Sinopec and CNPC lead in refining, while CNPC dominates gas production. Coal production is fragmented, with CNNC supplying most uranium.

- China's Energy Supply & Demand: In 2024, wind and solar surpassed thermal power in total capacity for the first time. China accounted for 55% of global coal consumption and 34% of global CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion. Total energy consumption increased by 5.5% annually since 2020, reaching 4,343 Mtoe in 2024. Coal dominated the energy mix at 60%, though its share is decreasing. China's electricity capacity grew significantly, with wind and solar surpassing fossil fuels. Despite progress, CO₂ intensity remains high.

- China's Energy Use & Price by Sector: China's final energy demand surged 5.6% annually since 2020, with electricity leading at 27%. Industry dominates consumption (61%), while transport lags (14%). Prices for electricity and gas have declined, with market-based pricing introduced for industrial consumers.

- China's Issues & Prospects: China is expanding renewables and nuclear power while continuing coal projects. The 14^th Five-Year Plan aims for significant energy capacity growth by 2025, with a focus on diversifying supply and reducing emissions. The "Belt and Road" initiative promotes Chinese energy technologies abroad. Despite pledges to halt overseas coal projects, domestic coal capacity is increasing. Nuclear and gas projects are also advancing, alongside substantial investments in electricity storage and transmission infrastructure.

China Total Energy Production & Consumption

Since 2020, total energy consumption has increased by 5.5%/year on average to 4 343 Mtoe in 2024, with a slight slowdown in 2024 (3.6%). Previously, its growth fell to 3.4% in 2020, after a period of recovery over 2017-19 (+4.5%/year) and a slow-down between 2012 and 2017 (+1.9%/year); it grew very rapidly over 2000-12 (8.9%). Total energy consumption per capita reached 3.1 toe in 2024, a level comparable to that of Japan and 10% higher than the EU average (2.8 toe/cap), but less than half as high as the United States (6.5 toe/cap).

Source: China energy report

Interactive Chart China Total Energy Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

China Oil Production & Consumption

Since 2018, crude oil and NGL production has increased by 2%/year, reaching 213Mt in 2024, as the country is seeking to boost domestic exploration and production. China was the world's fifth largest oil producing country in 2024. Previously, output declined by 4%/year between 2015 and 2018, after increasing by 2%/year between 2000 and 2015.

Source: China energy report

Interactive Chart China Crude Oil Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Interactive Chart China Refined Oil Products Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

China Natural Gas Production & Consumption

Since 2010, production has grown by 8.4%/year, reaching 293bcm in 2024 (x3 over 2010-24). China is the world's fourth largest natural gas producer.

More than 80% of gas production is concentrated in 6 provinces: Xinjiang (17%) and Shaanxi (15%, -12 pp since 2019) in the northwest, Sichuan (27%) in the southwest, Inner Mongolia (13%, +11 pp since 2019) and Shanxi (7%) in the north, and Guandong (5%, offshore) in South Central China.

Source: China energy report

Interactive Chart China Gas Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

China Coal and Lignite Production & Consumption

Since 2017, coal production has increased by almost 5%/year, reaching 4.7 Gt in 2024; it decreased by 4.3%/year between 2013 and 2016. Most of the production is localised in North China, with Shanxi (19% in 2024), Inner Mongolia (10%), and Hebei (9%), as well as Northwestern China, with Shaanxi (9%) and Xinjiang (8%).

Source: China energy report

Interactive Chart China Coal and Lignite Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

China Renewable in % Electricity Production

With the 14th FYP, the country intends to get 20% of its total energy consumption from non-fossil fuels in 2025 (12% in 2024). The revised NDC raised this share of non-fossil fuels to around 25% in 2030. In September 2025, the country committed to raise the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30% by 2035.

Source: China energy report

Interactive Chart China Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

China GHG emissions and CO₂ emissions

In its updated NDC (2021), China set more ambitious targets for 2030: reaching a CO2 emission peak before 2030, lowering its CO2 intensity by over 65% (from 2005 levels), and eventually reaching carbon neutrality before 2060. In September 2025, the country unveiled plans to lower its GHG emissions by 7 to 10% by 2035 from peak levels.

Source: China energy report

Interactive Chart China CO₂ emissions

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data