On March 20, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), together with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), and the National Energy Administration (NEA), held a press conference to introduce the Implementation Plan for High-Quality Development of Energy-Saving Equipment (2026–2028). This initiative aligns with the Opinions on Accelerating the Comprehensive Green Transition of Economic and Social Development (CPC Central Committee & State Council). It aims to improve the energy efficiency of energy-saving equipment that features strong versatility, high energy consumption, and promising prospects, while enhancing their supply and application.

The Plan focuses on six types of equipment: motors, transformers, industrial heat pumps, industrial cooling/heating devices, water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, and ICT equipment. The clear targets for these six types by 2028 are set:

• Motors, fans, pumps, compressors: New energy‑efficient equipment to account for 35%of all new installations; in‑service energy‑efficient equipment to exceed 15% of the total installed base.
• Transformers: New energy‑efficient units to exceed 75%of new installations; in‑service energy‑efficient units to reach 15% of the total installed base.
• Heat pumps: Energy efficiency >10% above 2025 level.
• Industrial cooling/heating devices: New energy‑efficient units to reach 45%of new installations; in‑service energy‑efficient units to reach 25% of the total installed base.
• Hydrogen production equipment: DC power consumption <4.2 kWh/Nm³under rated conditions for mass‑produced units.
• ICT equipment: >80% of new servers at energy efficiency level 2 or above.

It seeks to promote energy saving and carbon reduction in key industries by optimizing energy-using systems, advancing the R&D and application of advanced technologies and equipment, and following the pathways of green design and manufacturing, equipment renewal, and AI empowerment, so as to accelerate the intelligent, green, and integrated development of energy-saving equipment. By 2028, China aims for breakthroughs in key materials and components, improved system efficiency in key industries, and world-leading energy efficiency for motors and transformers with a higher market share.

The Plan lays out four major tasks: accelerating the R&D and promotion of advanced energy-saving equipment, expanding green and low-carbon supply, strengthening system coupling and matching, and advancing digital upgrades. In addition, the Plan proposes three measures to foster a healthy industrial environment: accelerating equipment renewal, improving standards systems, and strengthening industrial coordination.

In terms of standardization, the Plan makes improving the standards system for energy-saving equipment a core task. Measures include: strictly enforcing mandatory efficiency standards for motors, transformers, etc.; developing or revising such standards for industrial heat pumps, hydrogen production equipment, and communication base stations; and establishing a full-chain standards system covering design, manufacturing, testing, maintenance, and carbon footprint accounting. According to NDRC at the press conference, since the 14th Five-Year Plan, 133 energy conservation standards have been revised, raising the average efficiency of major industrial equipment by over 10 percentage points. Moving forward, three priorities stand out: accelerating standard setting for energy limits and efficiency, updating efficiency levels and policies, and strengthening implementation monitoring through inspections and quality checks—creating a framework where standards lead, policies support, and enterprises act.

The Plan emphasizes higher technical standards and stricter market access for China’s energy-saving equipment industry. As China advances in motors, transformers, and hydrogen equipment—with some products reaching world-leading efficiency—and enforces mandatory efficiency standards, European companies may face tougher competition in China, particularly those whose standards or technologies do not align with the new requirements. That said, areas such as hydrogen production, industrial heat pumps, AI-powered efficiency, and carbon footprint standards still offer room for EU-China cooperation, where European expertise could play a valuable role.

Source: https://www.miit.gov.cn/xwfb/xwfbh/bxwfbh/art/2026/art_4e9257192fe743ca84c33ffc78e94e0c.html

https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202603/content_7063339.htm