China has unveiled an aggressive plan to transform its energy sector through artificial intelligence, pledging to roll out at least five industry-specific AI models by 2027 as part of its broader “AI Plus” initiative.
The strategy aims to integrate cutting-edge AI technologies into power grids, coal, oil, gas and renewable energy systems, positioning China as a global leader in AI-driven energy innovation by 2030.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), together with the National Energy Administration (NEA), released a joint policy framework on Monday outlining plans to -Launch five dedicated AI models for energy applications, Develop over 10 competitive pilot projects and 100 real-world AI application scenarios, Establish AI research and innovation hubs focused on energy-tech convergence, Train a new generation of specialists skilled in both AI and energy.
The energy sector offers a strong digital foundation, high-quality data, and rich application potential,” the agencies said, urging the industry to lead AI adoption under Beijing’s national strategy.
Over the next five years, China plans to:
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Embed AI across energy operations – from smart power regulation to renewable energy forecasting.
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Deploy AI-driven predictive maintenance and smart grid diagnostics to enhance system reliability.
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Optimize fuel use in thermal plants and improve hydrology and weather forecasting for better resource management.
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Enhance nuclear safety alerts and accelerate hydropower development in challenging high-altitude regions.
To fund this transformation, Beijing is exploring a dedicated financing framework to accelerate AI research, deployment, and innovation across the energy sector by 2027.
The move underscores China’s intent to leapfrog competitors and set global benchmarks for AI-powered energy systems, combining massive computing power with one of the world’s largest energy infrastructures.
