The 2026 National Energy Work Conference was convened in Beijing on December 15. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the conference fully implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and all previous plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee. It deeply comprehended the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments", enhanced the "Four Consciousnesses", strengthened the "Four Matters of Confidence", and ensured the "Two Upholds". The conference earnestly followed the arrangements of the Central Economic Work Conference and the requirements of the National Development and Reform Work Conference, summarized the energy work in 2025 and during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and deployed key tasks for 2026. Zheng Shanjie, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the National Development and Reform Commission, attended the conference and delivered a speech. Wang Hongzhi, Member of the Party Leadership Group of the National Development and Reform Commission, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the National Energy Administration, delivered a work report.

Zheng Shanjie pointed out that in 2025, the national energy system earnestly studied and implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and directives, and faithfully implemented the new strategy for energy security at a high standard. New progress and achievements were made in energy work, which strongly supported and guaranteed economic and social development, and the main objectives and tasks of the energy plan during the 14th Five-Year Plan period were on the verge of successful completion. In 2026, it is essential to thoroughly study and grasp the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, and accurately identify the new challenges, tasks and requirements in such aspects as secure energy supply, carbon reduction in the energy sector, energy technological innovation, and reform of the energy institutional system. We should focus on the goals of initially establishing a new energy system and advancing the building of a strong energy nation by 2030. We need to balance the relationship between economic development and the total volume and structure of energy to support Chinese modernization through the construction of a strong energy nation; balance the relationship between the overall energy scale and regional layout to enhance the systematicness and coordination of energy work; balance the relationship between energy supply guarantee and energy conservation and carbon reduction to promote the all-round green transition of economic and social development; balance the relationship between independent domestic energy development and international cooperation to effectively safeguard national energy strategic security; and balance the relationship between energy technological innovation and the transformation and upgrading of the energy industry to foster and enhance new advantages in innovative energy development. By doing so, we can promote the high-quality development of energy work and effectively support the achievement of the carbon peak goal as scheduled before 2030.

Wang Hongzhi noted that in accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, new achievements were accomplished in energy work in 2025. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China mapped out the strategic blueprint for building a strong energy nation and set the planning goal of initially establishing a new energy system. The Central Economic Work Conference emphasized the formulation of an outline plan for building a strong energy nation. Standing at a new historical starting point, the energy industry must fully recognize that a solid foundation has been laid for building a strong energy nation, making it the right time to forge ahead with comprehensive advancement. It must clearly understand that since the goal of initially establishing a new energy system has been defined, it is necessary to systematically and scientifically plan and promote energy work during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. It must be fully aware that to ensure the timely achievement of the carbon peak goal and the national independent contribution target by 2035, greater efforts must be made to advance the green and low-carbon transition of energy. It must also recognize that artificial intelligence has brought unprecedented opportunities for energy development, so we must adhere to two-way empowerment to seize the strategic commanding heights in energy development.

The conference held that under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the energy industry has strengthened policy supply, effectively addressed development challenges, and fully stimulated internal driving forces and innovative vitality. In 2025, the energy sector demonstrated strong resilience in tackling various shocks and challenges. Firstly, the guarantee of energy security was robust and effective, with the best supply performance since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. We maintained stable coal production, supply and prices, successfully coped with the test of power loads exceeding the previous year's peak 20 times during the summer peak period, and successfully concluded the seven-year action plan for increasing oil and gas reserves and production. The level of mutual complementarity and support of energy resources continued to improve, and the security of the power system remained stable. Secondly, the pace of green and low-carbon transition in the energy sector accelerated, and the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption would exceed the 20% target. Energy investment maintained a strong growth momentum, leaning towards green and innovative areas. New energy achieved higher-quality leaping development, the construction of major hydropower and nuclear power projects was accelerated, the development of a new power system progressed steadily, and new strides were made in the clean and efficient utilization of fossil energy. Thirdly, the level of technological innovation kept rising, and the cultivation of new quality productive forces in the energy sector was accelerated. The capacity for independent energy innovation was continuously enhanced, the integration of artificial intelligence with the energy industry was intensified, and new models and formats developed rapidly. Fourthly, a national unified power market took initial shape, and remarkable landmark achievements were made in energy reform and supervision. This national unified power market has become an important symbol of building a unified national market. New breakthroughs were achieved in the mechanism for the high-quality development of new energy, ten key measures for the development of the private sector in the energy field were issued, and notable results were gained from the continuous strengthening of energy supervision. Fifthly, international energy cooperation reached a higher level. Strategic cooperation in key areas made steady progress, practical energy cooperation with neighboring countries advanced smoothly, and China's voice and influence in global energy governance continued to grow.

The conference emphasized that the energy work in 2026 must be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It should fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and all previous plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee, fully and accurately apply the new development philosophy, accelerate the establishment of a new development pattern, and adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability. We should thoroughly implement the arrangements of the Central Economic Work Conference and the National Development and Reform Work Conference, focus on the main line of energy development, strive to achieve a sound start for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and provide strong energy support for advancing Chinese modernization. Firstly, formulate and implement the 15th Five-Year Energy Plan with high quality and standards. We will make every effort to compile and coordinate the plan to enhance its scientificity, predictability and initiative, and promote the integrated development of national energy planning. Major projects will be used to promote the implementation of the energy plan, with detailed timetables, roadmaps and priority orders, and strengthened annual planning and scheduling. Secondly, promote a higher level of energy security guarantee. We will consolidate the foundation for coal supply, improve the capacity of power supply guarantee, enhance oil and gas production and supply capacity, optimize the layout of key energy corridors, and raise the intrinsic safety level of energy infrastructure. Thirdly, steadily advance the green and low-carbon transition of energy. We will continuously increase the proportion of new energy supply, with the newly added installed capacity of wind and solar power exceeding 200 million kilowatts throughout the year. We will steadily push forward major hydropower projects, develop nuclear power in an active, safe and orderly manner, and strengthen the clean and efficient utilization of fossil energy. Fourthly, accelerate the achievement of self-reliance and self-improvement in energy science and technology. We will launch pilot projects for the integration of "Artificial Intelligence + Energy" and initiatives to upgrade the standardization of "Artificial Intelligence + Energy". We will vigorously promote key technological research on major energy equipment such as major smart grid projects, and make forward-looking arrangements for future energy industries including hydrogen energy and nuclear energy. Fifthly, fully meet the diverse energy needs of people's livelihood and enterprises. We will strengthen the guarantee of energy supply for people's livelihood, improve the power supply quality for high-reliability users, carry out special campaigns to enhance power supply quality, implement the new round of policies for "easy access to electricity", and optimize the power business environment. Sixthly, comprehensively deepen energy reform and the development of the legal system. We will accelerate the reform and innovation of the energy system and mechanism, further promote the construction of a national unified power market, improve the market mechanism adapting to the new energy system, strengthen the development of a new energy supervision system, and advance the legalization of the energy sector. Seventhly, expand all-round international cooperation. We will consolidate the foundation of international energy cooperation, strengthen cooperation in clean energy, and actively participate in global energy governance.

The conference pointed out that upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership over energy work is the fundamental guarantee for doing all work well. The energy industry must resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and always maintain a firm and correct political direction. It should earnestly rectify the problems pointed out in the central inspection, and fulfill the major political task of inspection rectification thoroughly. It should promote the implementation of work with a fine work style and fulfill its duties with a proactive spirit. It should strengthen coordination and linkage, and actively integrate into and serve the overall situation of national economic and social development. It should promote the integrated implementation of the systems to ensure officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to engage in corruption, firmly assume the main responsibility for comprehensive and strict Party self-governance, and carry the self-reform through to the end.

The conference stressed that the period from the end of this year to the beginning of next year is a critical stage for coping with the winter energy peak. We must do a good job in all aspects of energy supply guarantee and production safety, always stay alert to safety risks, adhere to the principle of putting the people and their lives first, enhance risk awareness, strengthen bottom-line thinking, consolidate work responsibilities, intensify supervision and inspection, and improve prevention and emergency response capabilities. These efforts are aimed at ensuring that the people can spend a warm winter and a peaceful Spring Festival.

Members of the Party Leadership Group and chief engineers of the National Energy Administration attended the conference. Responsible comrades from the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Group stationed at the National Development and Reform Commission, as well as relevant responsible comrades from central authorities and state departments, were invited to the conference. Also present were responsible comrades from energy authorities of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; responsible persons from relevant energy enterprises and industry associations; and principal comrades from various departments of the National Energy Administration, its dispatched agencies, directly affiliated institutions and China Energy Media.

Source: National Energy Administration