On November 8, the 12th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) voted to pass the Energy Law of the People’s Republic of China. This law, consisting of nine chapters, covers topics such as General Provisions, Energy Planning, Energy Development and Utilization, Energy Market System, Energy Reserves and Emergency Response, Energy Science and Technology Innovation, Supervision and Management, Legal Liabilities, and Supplementary Provisions. The law will come into effect on January 1, 2025.
The drafting of the Energy Law began in 2006, with multiple drafts released for public comment and three major revisions made before final approval. In alignment with the resolutions from the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, which emphasized “ecological priority, conservation, and green, low-carbon development,” this new law prioritizes renewable energy, enhances mechanisms for green and low-carbon development, and promotes green consumption incentives.
Key provisions of the Energy Law include the following:
Energy Structure Optimization: The law states that the country will prioritize renewable energy development, while encouraging the rational, clean, and efficient use of fossil fuels. It promotes a reliable, orderly transition from fossil fuels to non-fossil alternatives, aiming to increase the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption.
Dual Control on Carbon Emissions: The law establishes a framework to shift from controlling total and intensity of energy consumption to dual control of total and intensity of carbon emissions, speeding up the formation of a carbon control system.
Renewable Energy Utilization: Specific provisions are set for the development and utilization of renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, ocean, and hydrogen energy.
Renewable Energy Consumption Guarantee: The law strengthens mechanisms to ensure the consumption of renewable electricity.
Green Energy Consumption Promotion: Through measures such as implementing a green electricity certification system, the law encourages consumers to use renewable and low-carbon energy. Public institutions are encouraged to prioritize the procurement and use of renewable energy and energy-saving products and services.
New Power System Construction: The law aims to accelerate the development of a new power system, enhancing the grid's capacity to integrate, allocate, and regulate renewable energy.
Source：https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/VbgJttqkPT0JuA0nM911WQ