Xinjiang's new energy generation growth outstrips electricity consumption growth in Q1 2026

Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has consolidated its position as a major green energy hub, with new energy generation growth outstripping its total electricity consumption growth for the first time in the first quarter of 2026, according to the State Grid Corporation of China.

In the January to March period, Xinjiang's total electricity consumption rose by 7.1 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) year-on-year, while the region's power generation from wind and photovoltaic new energy sources hit 38.1 billion kWh, an increase of 8.4 billion kWh compared with the first quarter of 2025, equivalent to 118 percent of the total increment of the region's electricity consumption.

"This change has demonstrated that new energy generation has become the main force behind the growth in electricity consumption, marking a fundamental transformation in Xinjiang's energy structure and reflecting our continuously improved capacity to supply green power," said Cai Pengcheng, deputy director of the Regulation Division at the Dispatching and Control Center of State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Company.

At present, the cumulative installed capacity of new energy on Xinjiang's power grid has reached nearly 170 million kilowatts, accounting for more than 60 percent of the region's total installed power capacity. Xinjiang has built a distinctive green power supply system characterized by "wind power in northern Xinjiang, photovoltaic power in southern Xinjiang, and multi-energy complementation", providing solid power supply support for the steady growth of new energy generation.

To optimize the utilization of new energy power, Xinjiang has launched "off-peak green power trading" programs, which precisely match Xinjiang's midday power generation with evening consumption peaks in central and eastern China. So far, the cumulative outbound transmission of new energy power from Xinjiang has exceeded 300 billion kWh, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the region's total outbound power delivery.

Xinjiang's new energy generation growth outstrips electricity consumption growth in Q1 2026

Xinjiang's new energy generation growth outstrips electricity consumption growth in Q1 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.

As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.

Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.

A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.

Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.

"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.

At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.

Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal