BEIJING (Realist English). Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for ускорение development of a “new-type power system” centered on renewable energy and artificial intelligence, as Beijing seeks to strengthen energy security amid growing global supply volatility.
During a visit to Sichuan province, Li emphasised the need to expand green electricity generation and optimise the country’s energy mix to support economic growth. According to Xinhua News Agency, he urged market participants to explore new grid architectures and improve coordination across the power system.
“The construction of a new-type power grid is of great significance for ensuring energy security and promoting green development,” Li said.
China already leads the world in installed renewable energy capacity, but faces persistent challenges in balancing supply and demand. Rapid growth in solar and wind power has outpaced the development of transmission and dispatch systems, limiting the efficient use of generated electricity.
To address these constraints, Beijing has been promoting a modernised grid that integrates digital technologies, including AI, to improve flexibility in electricity allocation. The approach aims to better match intermittent renewable output with consumption patterns across regions.
The initiative is also central to China’s long-term climate strategy, including its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. A more intelligent and flexible grid is seen as essential to reducing reliance on fossil fuels while maintaining stable energy supplies.
Analytically, the push reflects China’s attempt to align energy security with decarbonisation, using technology to manage the structural challenges of a renewables-heavy system.
The key question is whether grid modernisation can keep pace with the rapid expansion of renewable capacity, or whether bottlenecks in infrastructure will continue to constrain China’s energy transition.
