China's new energy storage to witness large-scale development by 2025

The country has vowed to realize the full market-oriented development of new energy storage by 2030, as part of efforts to boost renewable power consumption while ensuring stable operation of the electric grid system, a statement by NDRC and the National Energy Administration said.

New energy storage refers to electricity storage processes that use electrochemical, compressed air, flywheel and supercapacitor systems but not pumped hydro, which uses water stored behind dams to generate electricity when needed.

Analysts said accelerating the development of new energy storage will help the country achieve its target of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, as well as its ambition to build a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system, state-controlled media in the country reported.

China is currently the world's biggest power generator. While it is aiming for renewable power to account for more than half of its total electricity generation capacity by 2025, up from the current 42 per cent, this would create challenges to maintaining stable operation of the electrical grid system, as renewable energy is subject to varying weather conditions.