As China embarks on its 15th "Five-Year Plan" period (2026-2030), ensuring energy security remains a vital task, with coal continuing to play a critical foundational role, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in a statement published on its official website on December 16.

The guidance builds upon significant achievements during the 14th "Five-Year Plan" period, when China established a diversified energy supply system with a self-sufficient rate above 80%.

Notably, China now has abundant coal production capacity and over 3.7 TW of power capacity. Renewable installations contributed 2.22 TW or 59.2% of the nation's total as of the end of October. Among these, hydro, wind, and solar power capacities each rank first in the world. Nuclear power, both in operation and under construction, has also become the largest globally. Meanwhile, non-fossil fuel energy accounts for about 20% of China's total energy consumption.

However, facing complex global dynamics and immense domestic demand, the 15th "Five-Year Plan" period explicitly calls for consolidating foundational guarantees for energy security. Coal is designated as a vital backbone to ensure stable energy supply.

The NDRC encourages coal miners to strengthen geological exploration and accelerate the construction of intelligent, high-quality mines while prioritizing production safety. A centralized management system for coal production capacity will be implemented to orderly release advanced capacity, thereby boosting supply elasticity. It also calls for intensified efforts in the clean and efficient use of coal.

China will constantly build coal reserve capacity, promoting the gradual formation of a complementary and coordinated coal reserve system that integrates government and corporate reserves. The government will fully leverage major rail arteries to boost outbound coal shipments from major coal-producing areas, strengthening the linkage between key coal ports and railways and bolstering cross-regional coal supply guarantee capability.

In addition, by actively diversifying sources of coal imports, the country is committed to stabilizing import volumes, thereby enabling imported coal to better serve as a supplementary and balancing force for the domestic market.

Parallel to securing coal supply, essential measures target the power sector. The NDRC requires efforts to strengthen power supply capacity by deploying supportive coal-fired power plants and expanding integrated clean energy bases in deserts and southeastern hydro-rich regions.

China will focus on tapping into the peaking capacity of thermal power, enabling coal-fired power to play a better role in the new power system and giving gas-fired units full play to the short-term peak-shaving and deep regulation capabilities.

Moreover, the country would work to build a stronger oil and gas reserve and emergency response system, advancing self-reliance in critical areas like hydrogen and energy storage, and deepening market-oriented reforms in the energy sector.