Beijing pushes AI data centres to adopt green energy under action plan

China’s National Energy Administration, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and National Data Administration jointly released an action plan on Friday to integrate green energy into AI data centers. The policy introduces 29 measures, mandating operators to increase green electricity usage through mechanisms like green certificates and trading markets, while replacing diesel generators with cleaner backup systems. The plan also encourages the adoption of domestically developed AI software and hardware, optimized for energy sector applications, including AI chips tailored for efficiency. Regulators emphasized the goal of creating a ‘new development pattern’ where AI and energy sectors mutually reinforce each other by 2030. This initiative responds to growing electricity demand from AI expansion, which risks straining China’s grid while complicating carbon reduction targets. The move aligns with broader efforts to balance technological growth with sustainable energy practices, ensuring data centers contribute to national climate objectives. The document highlights the need for coordination between computing capacity growth and renewable energy development, signaling a strategic shift toward greener infrastructure in AI-driven industries. Operators are expected to adopt these measures to meet regulatory expectations and support China’s long-term environmental goals.