Dear Reader,
Welcome to the March edition of Net Zero Trend’s Monthly Newsletter on China.
China’s newly released 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) incorporates the goal of building “an energy superpower,” anchored in renewables, electrification, and hydrogen scale-up. In line with this, SPIC released its 15th FYP, focusing on an integrated P2X strategy.
MIIT, MoF & NDRC launched the second phase of the national hydrogen demonstration program, allocating up to CNY 8 billion across five city clusters, each eligible for a maximum of CNY 1.6 billion over a four-year pilot period. Meanwhile, MIIT, NDRC, SASAC, and NEA issued a three-year implementation plan to upgrade energy-efficient equipment, requiring mass-produced electrolyzers to achieve DC power consumption below 4.2 kWh/Nm³ by 2028, though no specific water consumption limit is specified.
The Antwerp–Jiangyin shipping route has officially opened, further strengthening EU–China links. Meanwhile, China has reached several connectivity milestones, including the first commercial ammonia-fuelled marine engine and the world-first space-based AI system controlling ground robots.
At the corporate level, CASC launched three LH2 products, while Wuxi LEAD won a top prize in Korea for its GWh-scale SSB equipment and enabled micron-scale 3D additive manufacturing. On March 31, Wuxi LEAD convened 300 global suppliers at its annual conference to advance co-innovation. At CIHC 2026, LEAD Hydrogen Intelligent (LHI) – its hydrogen, fuel cell, and perovskite subsidiary – showcased next-generation equipment.
Net zero is a marathon requiring extensive collaboration. On March 27, the Wuxi Space-Based Solar Power Industry Alliance (WSSA) was launched, aiming to industrialize and standardize space-based solar technologies. In the same week, SAIC Maxus produced its 400,000th pickup at its Wuxi plant, which also houses a dedicated FCEV production line that rolled out China’s first fuel cell MPV in 2020.
China is at the center of the global energy transition. Its policies and projects are shaping markets and influencing the future. Our mission is to connect policymakers, investors, and innovators with the trends driving China’s climate and energy landscape.
Thank you, and let’s continue tracking China’s path to net zero together.
Until next month,
The Net Zero Trend Team