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Published by ChinaMNC · Mentougou

Beijing Expands Market-Based Green Power Sources to 18 Provinces: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

Beijing's market-based green electricity now comes from 18 provincial-level regions, with new常态 transactions from northern Hebei and a first-time delivery from Sichuan. For foreign founders operating in China, this signals growing access to renewable energy—but also requires understanding the mechanics of China's power market.

Beijing's Green Power 'Circle of Friends' Grows to 18 Provinces

For foreign founders building or operating a company in China, access to reliable, affordable, and increasingly green electricity is a core operational concern. A recent update from Beijing's power trading authorities shows that the capital's market-based green electricity sources now cover 18 provincial-level regions across the country. This expansion, reported by Beijing Daily on October 29, 2026, reflects a broader effort to integrate renewable energy into the grid through market mechanisms—a development that could affect how foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) procure power and meet sustainability goals.

Northern Hebei Enters Regular Market-Based Supply

Starting in September 2026, the Beijing Power Exchange Center, together with the Capital Power Exchange Center and the Jibei Power Exchange Center, completed four monthly inter-provincial green power centralized bidding transactions. These transactions delivered a cumulative 51.703 million kWh of market-based green electricity from northern Hebei (including Zhangjiakou) to Beijing, marking a new phase of regular market-based green power inflows from the region.

According to Zhang Zhe, director of the Second Market Trading Department at the Beijing Power Exchange Center, the four transactions involved 39 renewable energy generators in northern Hebei—including the operator of the national wind-solar-storage demonstration project—and 37 Beijing power purchasers such as the National Olympic Sports Center, the Capital Museum, and Wangfujing Department Store.

Following the regular opening of these transactions, green power from northern and central-southern Hebei has been delivered to Beijing through market mechanisms. Of this, approximately 11.192 million kWh was transmitted to Beijing's load centers via the ±500 kV Yanqing converter station of the Zhangbei renewable energy flexible DC grid demonstration project.

Sichuan Green Power Reaches Beijing for the First Time

In October 2026, Beijing also received green electricity from Sichuan for the first time. About 4.8 million kWh from the western Sichuan plateau regions of Aba, Liangshan, and Ganzi traveled nearly 2,000 kilometers to reach the capital—a 'space-time relay' of clean energy.

This transaction was brokered in September 2026 by the Beijing Power Exchange Center with the Capital Power Exchange Center and the Sichuan Power Exchange Center. By precisely matching supply and demand timing, nearly 80% of the traded volume was scheduled between 10:00 and 16:00, when Sichuan's solar output peaks and Beijing's commercial and industrial electricity demand is high. In the evening, wind power from the plateau supplemented the evening peak, effectively absorbing surplus hydro, wind, and solar resources from the tail end of Sichuan's wet season while meeting Beijing's strong demand for green energy.

Why This Matters for Foreign Founders

For foreign entrepreneurs setting up operations in Beijing, the expansion of market-based green power has several practical implications:

However, foreign founders should note that participation in China's power market typically requires navigating local regulations and may involve working with licensed electricity retailers or the grid company. The source does not specify eligibility criteria for FIEs, so companies should consult local power authorities or professional advisors.

Background: Grid Upgrades Enable Green Power Flow

In recent years, leveraging the national ultra-high-voltage backbone grid, Beijing has intensified efforts to bring in externally sourced green electricity, accelerating the green transformation of its power grid. The source states that Beijing's market-based green power 'circle of friends' has expanded to 18 provincial-level regions. This infrastructure development underpins the reliable transmission of renewable energy over long distances, such as the Sichuan-to-Beijing delivery.

Practical Steps for Foreign Founders

If you are considering setting up or already operating a company in China and want to incorporate green power into your energy strategy, consider the following:

While the source does not provide specific guidance for foreign companies, the expansion of green power sources suggests a more diverse and potentially accessible market. As always, foreign founders should conduct due diligence and consult local experts.

Conclusion

Beijing's growing network of market-based green electricity suppliers—now spanning 18 provincial-level regions—offers foreign founders a broader potential pool of renewable energy options. The regular inflows from northern Hebei and the first-time delivery from Sichuan demonstrate the grid's increasing capability to move green power across regions. For companies operating in China, this trend aligns with global sustainability expectations and China's energy transition goals. However, navigating the power market requires careful planning and local expertise.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

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