China's first energy law comes into force to promote green development

(ECNS) -- China's first energy law officially came into force on Wednesday.

As the world's largest energy producer and consumer, China has closed a key legislative gap with this comprehensive law, which helps ensure national energy security and serves as a cornerstone for promoting a green and low-carbon transition, officials and experts highlighted.

The law includes hydrogen energy in national legislation for the first time, defining its role as an energy source. It also confirms the legal status of green certificates, promotes renewable energy, and supports the development of new technologies, business models, and innovations such as advanced energy storage and smart microgrids.

Additionally, the law calls for the creation of a nationally unified energy trading market for coal, electricity, petroleum, natural gas, and other energy sources. It ensures fair competition by enabling all types of businesses to participate in the energy sector and encourages investment in energy development, utilization, and technological innovation.

In addition, the law innovatively establishes a reserve system for energy production capacity and minerals. For the first time, it confirms corporate’s social responsibilities of reserving energy as an obligation, so as to guarantee national energy security in extreme situations.

The law, officially passed on Nov. 8, 2024, comprises nine chapters, covering energy planning, development and utilization, market system, reserves and emergency response, technology innovation, supervision, as well as management and legal responsibilities, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA).