In December 2022, Energy Foundation China and the Rocky Mountain Institute jointly released this report about China’s pathway toward a new zero-carbon power system. Based on global climate action and China’s current power system, the report identifies four major challenges regarding renewables penetration, system flexibility, power grid, and demand response in building a renewable-dominant power system for China, and then puts forward eight suggestions that cover comprehensive policy, market, and technical tools addressing the challenges. The report also proposes power system’s goals and priorities for 2021–2025, 2025–2023, and post-2030 periods.

Providing scientific analysis of policies, market rules, and technology prospects for a zero-carbon power system, the authors of the report hope it can be useful for helping design a viable roadmap for power system decarbonization, and thus contributes to the achievement of China’s carbon peaking and neutrality goals, as well as the transition of the global energy sector.