China has unveiled a new five-year industrial development plan that positions green computing at the center of its national strategy for 2026 to 2030. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the roadmap to manage rising energy demands from the country's expanding digital sector. By the end of this decade, the government targets a ten percent reduction in energy consumption per unit of value added at major industrial sites.
A key focus of the initiative is the relocation of energy-intensive infrastructure to regions with access to renewable energy sources. This shift targets data centers and AI computing facilities, which consumed 170 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2025. The state plans to establish 500 zero-carbon factories while drafting 500 new industry standards for low-carbon manufacturing and green energy use.
Beyond data centers, the plan encompasses a broader range of industrial sectors including hydrogen power, energy storage, and electric vehicles. The government also intends to formalize regulations for the recycling and reuse of power batteries to minimize industrial waste. Officials will coordinate fiscal, financial, and technological policies to ensure these goals are met by 2030.
This policy change signals a major shift in how China approaches the growth of its digital economy. By forcing a link between infrastructure expansion and sustainable energy capacity, the government aims to cap industrial carbon emissions. These standards will likely influence international technology manufacturers and global supply chains operating within the country.