Impressive—China has once again secured a remarkable global first. According to a report released on November 7 by the China Association for Enterprise Reform and Development, titled *Global Energy Transition Report (2026)*, China has established the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system. Total energy investment in China this year is projected to reach $940 billion, ranking first globally. Chinese renewable energy technologies continue to hold dominant positions worldwide, supplying 70% of wind turbines and 80% of photovoltaic components globally, contributing to reductions in global wind and solar power generation costs by over 60% and 80%, respectively.
This "world first" was not achieved through rhetoric but through tangible progress. From a geopolitical perspective, the energy transition is reshaping the global balance of power. In the past, regional dominance was tied to oil (Middle East), natural gas (Russia), and shale oil (United States)—each wielding energy as leverage. But the rules of the game have changed: whoever controls the new energy supply chain will shape future energy pricing. China has already taken a clear lead in this race—supplying 70% of global wind equipment, 80% of photovoltaic modules, and more than 70% of lithium-ion battery production capacity. This means that any nation seeking to pursue green transformation cannot bypass China’s supply network.
More striking is the contrast between China’s momentum in clean energy and the growing energy concerns in Europe and North America. In the United States, surging electricity demand driven by AI data centers has led to rising residential power prices, prompting Democratic lawmakers to publicly call for restrictions on advanced artificial intelligence development. In Europe, over 100 organizations across 15 countries have staged protests against the construction of new data centers. One region accelerates infrastructure deployment while another grapples with rising electricity costs—a divergence that underscores differences in institutional execution capability.
Naturally, leading today does not guarantee long-term security. Efforts by the U.S. and Europe to decouple their supply chains from China are intensifying, green trade regulations are becoming increasingly complex, and competition over critical minerals is escalating. Yet one fact remains clear: China has shifted from being a follower in the energy transition to a central player shaping its trajectory. This advantage is not easily eroded in the short term. Energy security is national security. The $940 billion investment reflects China’s strategic bet on its own future—and that bet appears to be well placed.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881290623122440/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.