Xiamen in east China is driving zero-carbon growth with a new battery factory that cuts 160,000 tons of emissions a year, equal to removing 35,000 cars from the road, marking a milestone in clean energy manufacturing.
The factory anchors the city's plan to build a zero-carbon technology zone on Xiamen Island, one of its flagship initiatives under China's 15th Five-Year Plan.
Powered entirely by zero-carbon electricity, the plant reduces emissions through energy-saving technologies and offsets any remainder with carbon credits, achieving net-zero operations, said Michelle Zhao, board secretary and deputy general manager of Xiamen Ampace Technology Limited.
"Batteries accumulate heat during continuous operation and can shut down once temperatures hit a certain threshold. In the drone sector, we have pioneered solutions through material innovation and chemical system optimization—simultaneously reducing heat generation and ensuring reliable high-temperature performance," Zhao said.
While electric vehicles and electronic devices may produce no direct emissions during operation, the manufacturing process, particularly battery production, remains a critical bottleneck in the race toward sustainability.
"By building green lithium battery and energy storage products from the source, we are essentially ensuring green, zero-carbon operations across our entire value chain," Zhao said.
At the Ampace factory, a smart energy management system monitors and controls operations to maximize the use of green electricity. Zhao said new battery technologies have already boosted energy efficiency by more than 80 percent, while the digital system adds intelligent analysis, early warning, and optimization to guarantee maximum utilization of clean power.
Battery cells are now emerging as critical infrastructure, extending zero-carbon practices beyond factories to other parts of Xiamen, including tourist destinations. On Gulangyu Island, a protected historic and cultural heritage district, green renovations are underway, with thin-film photovoltaic layers being installed on building surfaces to help achieve the island’s zero-carbon goal.
"The thin-film photovoltaic wall we just observed generates electricity that powers this building directly, with surplus energy stored in battery systems. During nighttime or overcast conditions, these storage units discharge to maintain a continuous green power supply - creating a self-sustaining renewable energy loop," Chen Qiyao, director of the Gulangyu Power Supply Station.
All vehicles on the island are electric, and other public infrastructure like streetlights and restrooms use clean energy as well.
For small and medium enterprises, Xiamen's photovoltaic and energy storage solutions offer payback periods of just five to seven years, making green transition economically viable.
China's Xiamen cuts 160,000 tons of emissions with zero-carbon battery plant
