China adds computing, 5G sectors to renewable energy targets

China's energy regulator is now requiring fast-growing industries like data centers, 5G base stations, and EV chargers to meet renewable energy consumption targets. These sectors are seeing huge jumps in electricity use, with computing power alone expected to add over 100 billion kWh each year during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

The move is meant to make sure clean energy covers the country's rising electricity demand. New energy manufacturers, such as those making polysilicon and lithium batteries, are also included. The goal is to build a greener supply chain from top to bottom.

By 2025, China had 42 large-scale AI computing clusters. Total electricity use by data centers hit 170 billion kWh, or 1.6% of the nation's total, growing nearly 40% a year over the past three years.