The Daily Planet #73: Metabolic Sovereignty Revisited, Part 4

When Xi Jinping assumed leadership of China's Communist Party in 2012, he quickly recognized the country's heavy reliance on foreign energy as a critical national security vulnerability. This dependence on imported oil and coal exposed China to geopolitical risks, especially amid rising tensions with the United States and trade conflicts. Determined to reduce this vulnerability, Xi launched a sweeping energy revolution aimed at transforming China into the world's first "electrostate," where electricity and clean technologies would power the economy and enhance energy security.

Under Xi's direction, China has aggressively pursued electrification and the expansion of renewable energy. The country now leads the global technology revolution in clean energy, with sectors like wind, solar, and battery manufacturing driving a significant portion of economic growth. Clean energy industries accounted for a record 10% of China's GDP and contributed to a quarter of its growth recently. Massive investments - up to $800 billion planned by 2030 - are being funneled into upgrading the electricity grid, including ultra-high-voltage transmission lines that connect renewable energy-rich regions to industrial hubs.

China's electrification strategy extends beyond power generation to transportation and infrastructure, exemplified by the booming electric vehicle market and the world's largest high-speed rail network. The government's industrial policies have fostered innovation in solar panel materials, wind turbine technology, and energy storage, driving down costs and making renewables increasingly competitive with coal and gas.

Despite continued coal use as a backup, China aims to source half its electricity from low-carbon sources by 2028 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This transition not only strengthens China's energy independence but also positions it as a dominant player in global clean technology supply chains, exporting expertise and investment worldwide. Xi's vision has thus reshaped China's energy landscape, turning a strategic weakness into a powerful lever for economic growth, climate action, and geopolitical influence.

How Xi sparked China’s electricity revolution

Beijing’s aggressive pursuit of energy self-sufficiency could give it the upper hand in the trade war with the US