From Shanxi, for cleaner, greener energy

Editor's Note: The 2026 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum was held in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, from Sept 4-5. The event included multiple international conferences, parallel forums and themed activities. Several participants shared their views on China's green energy development. Below are reflections from five of the speakers.

'Green Great Wall' and 'Green Battery' needed

Mongolia and China are enduring neighbors, connected by mountains and rivers and sharing a border more than 4,700 kilometers long. The two countries are not only closely connected geographically, but also interdependent in areas such as the economy, ecology and energy security.

Today, this relationship is taking on a new dimension: green development and energy transition.

One of Mongolia's greatest opportunities lies in its enormous potential for wind and solar power. The Gobi region is blessed with exceptionally rich wind and solar resources, giving Mongolia the potential to become the "green battery of Asia".

But turning that potential into tangible economic benefits requires more than natural resources. It requires technological support, engineering expertise, industrial capacity, capital investment and advanced energy-storage systems and ultrahigh-voltage transmission networks.

This is where the experience of China's Shanxi province becomes particularly valuable. Long the heartland of China's coal industry, Shanxi is now undergoing a profound transformation. The province is making major efforts to develop renewable energy, new technologies and emerging industries, seeking to shift from a traditional coal-driven economy toward a greener, technology-driven economic structure.

This experience offers important lessons for Mongolia, which is also facing the task of reshaping its energy system and industrial structure.

At the same time, Shanxi can combine its expertise in technology, industry, engineering, investment and financing with Mongolia's enormous wind and solar potential.

It is suggested that a "two-pillar" framework for cooperation — a "Green Great Wall" and a "Green Battery" — be set up between Mongolia and China's Shanxi province.

The "Green Great Wall" would focus on combating desertification, restoring degraded ecosystems, protecting water resources and safeguarding the environment. The "Green Battery" would seek to turn Mongolia's abundant wind and solar resources into clean energy and new economic opportunities. The two are inseparable.

If this vision can become a reality, Mongolia and China can envision a future partnership based on green technologies, energy innovation and environmental protection.

Mongolia can learn from Shanxi's experience in transforming its energy sector, while Shanxi can help unlock Mongolia's wind and solar potential through technology, industry and investment. As long as we turn these visions into concrete projects, we can build a future that delivers tangible benefits and win-win outcomes for both sides.

Expanding cooperation to promote low-carbon energy

Today, the global energy revolution and industrial transformation, characterized by green and low-carbon development, are advancing at an accelerated pace. Innovation in energy science and technology is becoming a key driver of development. It is not only a fundamental solution to overcoming resource and environmental constraints and achieving harmony between humanity and nature, but also an important source of new quality productive forces and a driving force for gaining an early lead in the development of the future.

As a major energy-producing province entrusted with the dual mission of safeguarding China's energy security and advancing the energy transition, Shanxi has in recent years positioned itself at the forefront of transformation and development in traditional energy-producing regions. The province has made scientific and technological innovation a key lever for advancing the energy revolution, seeking new resources, new space for development and new momentum through technological progress.

Shanxi has established four strategic pillars of scientific and technological strength in the energy sector: national laboratories, national key laboratories, "double first-class" universities and national leading enterprises in science and technology. It has also systematically developed nine technological pathways covering areas such as coal mining and extraction, flexible and efficient power generation, new coal-based chemical industries, coal bed methane and renewable energy.

Looking ahead, the global energy transition is accelerating, while China's efforts to achieve its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals are entering a deeper stage.

Shanxi's low-carbon energy transition is therefore facing new opportunities, while also shouldering greater responsibilities.

Against this backdrop, it is suggested that universities, research institutions and enterprises from around the world deepen international cooperation and continue to strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration in cutting-edge areas of new energy, including geothermal development and hydrogen energy utilization.

A local contribution to climate diplomacy

Today, the global energy landscape is evolving from one dominated by resources to a new configuration shaped jointly by resources, technology, supply routes, rules and resilience. Amid this transformation, energy cooperation is both a stabilizer in times of tension and a new arena for competition among major powers.

China has charted its own path toward energy independence based on its national resource endowment. Faced with the reality of being rich in coal but relatively short of oil and gas, China has not only achieved its renewable energy capacity targets ahead of schedule, but also, by the end of July 2026, seen installed solar power capacity surpass coal-fired power capacity for the first time.

From political leaders in various countries eager to test-drive Chinese new energy vehicles to China's promotion of green infrastructure in countries along the Belt and Road, these developments show that China is offering the Global South new approaches — moving from simply exporting equipment and products to jointly building capabilities.

As one of China's major comprehensive energy bases, Shanxi should not remain defined solely as a major coal-producing province.

Instead, it should take the initiative to become part of China's broader energy diplomacy and build itself into an international showcase for China's energy transition.

First, Shanxi should serve as a demonstration ground for the clean and efficient use of traditional energy. Coal remains an important cornerstone of China's energy security. Building on its existing industrial strengths, Shanxi should develop internationally advanced demonstration projects in areas such as the clean conversion of coal and the flexible transformation of coal-fired power plants. These projects can showcase to the world the technological capabilities and sense of responsibility of a major traditional energy producer as it makes a steady transition toward a cleaner energy system.

Second, Shanxi can become a source of innovation for the entire new-energy industrial chain. Shanxi has already built a solid foundation in areas such as photovoltaics, hydrogen energy and energy storage.

Its efforts in mine ecological restoration and the development of photovoltaic bases in coal-mining subsidence areas could serve as platforms for international exchanges.

Third, Shanxi should serve as a supporting hub for the development of a Green Belt and Road.

Drawing on its strong capabilities in energy equipment manufacturing, engineering construction and technical talent, Shanxi should encourage local enterprises to go global together and participate in energy infrastructure projects in Belt and Road partner countries.

By sharing Shanxi's transition experience, applicable technologies and standards with the Global South, the province can make a distinctive contribution — a Shanxi contribution — to China's climate diplomacy.

Green loans and bonds helping green transition

As a national pilot province for a comprehensive reform of the energy revolution, Shanxi bears a major responsibility to explore a path toward green transformation for resource-dependent regions in China and around the world.

It is also tasked by the Ministry of Commerce with advancing institutional opening-up through the pilot free trade zone and the comprehensive pilot program for expanding the opening-up of the services sector.

Traditional energy is being renewed, while industrial value chains are moving up the ladder.

Shanxi is at the forefront of smart mine development nationwide. Clean coal-fired power technologies continue to make breakthroughs, driving down coal consumption per kilowatt-hour while significantly reducing pollutant emissions.

Homegrown core equipment has broken foreign technological monopolies and has already achieved commercial application overseas, with its market presence extending across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. Shanxi is thus moving beyond simply "selling coal" to "selling technology and equipment".

New energy is gaining momentum, while green power equipment is reaching markets far beyond Shanxi. Wind and solar power capacity is expanding rapidly, the hydrogen energy industry is taking shape at a faster pace, and breakthroughs are being made in energy storage technologies.

Progress is also being made steadily in carbon capture, utilization and storage. Shanxi is moving from being an "energy producer" toward becoming an "energy exporter", contributing to global sustainable development through international cooperation in green industries and production capacity.

Computing power and finance are becoming increasingly intelligent, while digital trade is making cross-border commerce more connected and accessible. The deep integration of "artificial intelligence+energy" applications is providing strong support for the national strategy of channeling computing resources from the east to the west. A growing range of green financial instruments, including green loans and green bonds, is helping support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Important takeaways for faraway Mexico

For Mexico, the energy transition is not simply about changing the way energy is produced. It is about building a development model that creates greater wellbeing, strengthens national sovereignty, and ensures that the benefits of development are shared by all.

Mexico and China face common challenges, but they also see tremendous opportunities in energy transition, innovation and sustainable development.

In this regard, the transformation of energy-producing regions is one specific area of cooperation between the two countries.

In China, particularly in Shanxi, there are experiences that are highly relevant to Mexico. Shanxi is transforming regions that have historically depended on coal into new development models built around renewable energy, energy storage and low-emissions technologies.

Mexico can explore how to adapt the successful practices in Shanxi province to its own circumstances, while making full use of our existing infrastructure, knowledge and human resources.

China's advances in the utilization of coal mine methane and in carbon capture and storage are also opening up new areas for cooperation between the two countries.

Mexico and China can therefore share knowledge, technologies and experience, and work together to help energy-producing regions become more competitive and sustainable, while creating new opportunities for development and improving people's well-being.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.