Energy-Efficient Equipment High-Quality Development Implementation Plan Released; Multiple Departments Detail Key Policy Measures

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and three other departments jointly issued the “Implementation Plan for High-Quality Development of Energy-saving Equipment (2026–2028)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Implementation Plan”). It proposes that by 2028, breakthroughs will be made in key materials and components for energy-saving equipment, the efficiency levels of energy-saving equipment such as motors and transformers will reach international leading standards, and the market share of energy-saving equipment will further increase.

What are the key focus areas of the “Implementation Plan”? How will the focus industries be promoted to achieve energy savings and carbon reduction upgrades? At a press conference held by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on March 20, officials from multiple departments responded.

Focus on Six Types of Energy-saving Equipment

Wang Peng, Director of the Department of Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, stated that the efficiency levels of various types of energy-saving equipment in China have continued to improve. However, surveys have found that some in-service equipment still do not meet efficiency standards, some key materials and components still require breakthroughs, some equipment and load systems are poorly matched, and the level of intelligence needs to be enhanced. There is an urgent need to strengthen top-level design, coordinate efforts from both supply and application sides, and promote high-quality development of energy-saving equipment.

The “Implementation Plan” focuses on six categories of energy-saving equipment: energy-efficient motors, transformers, industrial heat pumps, industrial refrigeration (heating) equipment, water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, and information communication devices. It systematically deploys work to accelerate the research and promotion of advanced energy-saving equipment, expand green and low-carbon supply, and promote digital upgrading of energy-saving equipment. It calls for developing new materials, components, and products that meet market demand and have outstanding energy-saving effects, to accelerate the construction of large models for equipment energy conservation and carbon reduction, and to enable AI-powered applications of energy-saving equipment.

For example, transformers are the “central nervous system” of power transmission, and their performance directly affects system efficiency. The “Implementation Plan” sets a goal that by 2028, over 75% of new transformers will be energy-efficient, and 15% of in-service transformers will be energy-efficient.

Luo Junjie, Vice President of the China Machinery Industry Federation, said that measures will be taken in three areas: focusing on technological innovation, deepening system matching, and increasing promotion efforts. These include developing new products to meet the needs of new power system construction, proposing integrated system solutions such as transformers and substations for renewable energy generation, large-scale hydrogen production, and new energy storage, and supporting the application of high-efficiency silicon steel three-phase core transformers, high-capacity high-efficiency amorphous alloy transformers, solid-state transformers, and flexible DC transformers.

Wang Peng stated that the “Implementation Plan” has three prominent features: emphasizing technological innovation, system collaboration, and digital intelligence empowerment. He hopes that through joint efforts, the plan can serve as an “accelerator” for high-quality development of energy-saving equipment.

Promoting Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction Upgrades in Key Industries and Fields

Currently, China is steadily advancing the “Two New” initiatives—new infrastructure and new energy—and promoting energy saving and carbon reduction in key sectors. According to estimates shared at the meeting, the implementation of the “Two New” policies has cumulatively resulted in energy savings exceeding 69 million tons of standard coal and a reduction of over 170 million tons of carbon emissions.

The “Implementation Plan” proposes to promote enterprises to conduct energy-saving and carbon reduction diagnostics and upgrades of energy-using equipment. Li Tai, Deputy Director of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that efforts will be made to deepen the renovation of energy-using equipment and ensure the effective implementation of the plan.

Specifically, the plan will push for energy-saving and carbon reduction upgrades in key industries and fields. It will focus on industries with high energy consumption and carbon emissions such as steel, electrolytic aluminum, cement, and flat glass. The upgrades will be carried out in phases, aiming to continuously improve the energy efficiency benchmark levels of these industries during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Standards and policies will be reinforced, including revising and releasing management measures for key energy-using and carbon-emitting units, and improving enterprise energy-saving and carbon reduction management requirements. Efforts will be made to accelerate the development of standards for energy consumption and carbon emissions limits, as well as for key energy-using products and equipment. Various funding channels will be coordinated to increase support for energy-saving and carbon reduction projects, leveraging government funds to amplify their impact and actively guide social capital into these projects.

Additionally, full-process supervision and services will be strengthened. This includes enhancing oversight of energy-saving and carbon reduction throughout the entire process, supervising enterprise energy use, improving mechanisms for technology evaluation and supply-demand matching, and promoting advanced energy-saving and carbon reduction technologies and equipment.

Guiding Central Enterprises to Build Green and Low-Carbon Supply Chains

Central enterprises play a vital role in promoting the update and renovation of energy-saving equipment. Zhang Xiaosong, Deputy Director of the Social Responsibility Bureau of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, introduced that by 2025, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission aims to lead central enterprises to invest 1 trillion yuan in large-scale equipment upgrades. The proportion of high-efficiency energy-saving motors and transformers with an energy efficiency level of 2 or above will continue to increase, and the comprehensive energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of output value (business revenue) will decrease by 3.3% year-on-year.

Zhang Xiaosong said that the next steps will focus on benchmarking and improving standards, accelerating stock upgrades, strengthening green procurement to stimulate market vitality, and enhancing assessment and evaluation to ensure responsibilities are fulfilled.

Specifically, efforts will be made to accelerate key equipment upgrade projects, complete inventory renovation tasks as soon as possible, support central enterprises in conducting energy-saving and carbon reduction diagnostics based on the latest energy consumption standards, and develop renovation plans accordingly. Guidance will be provided for central enterprises to build green and low-carbon supply chains, improve procurement management systems, and prioritize the purchase of green and low-carbon materials and equipment. Indicators such as energy consumption intensity, CO2 emission intensity, industry-specific energy efficiency levels, and the share of high-efficiency equipment will be incorporated into central enterprise assessments to set an example and achieve tangible results.