From coal-rich powerhouse to green-energy pioneer, East China's Shandong province has transformed its energy profile in just five years. Now, one in three kilowatts comes from nuclear, wind, solar, or geothermal sources. Additionally, 9.6 gigawatts (GW) of energy storage helps stabilize the grid, while market reforms have released 200 billion yuan ($28.08 billion) annually. Despite the shift, coal and oil continue as a backup, making Shandong "a national test-bed for low-carbon, secure energy".

Shandong has tripled its non-fossil fuel capacity to 134 GW during the 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) period (2021-25), meaning one-third of provincial electricity comes from nuclear, wind, solar, and geothermal sources, according to Shandong Provincial Energy Bureau.

While keeping coal output steady at 86 million metric tons and oil at 22 million tons, the province added 20 million tons to its government coal reserve and 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas storage during the 14th FYP. This ensures a stable supply for economic growth and livelihood.

Cleaner energy sources are backed by 9.6 GW of new battery, pumped-hydro, and compressed-air storage systems. Additionally, 12.27 GW of small coal units have been decommissioned. The province has achieved several global milestones, such as establishing the world's first Gen-IV nuclear power facility, the Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Plant in Rongcheng. The introduction of a 26-megawatt offshore wind turbine has also filled gaps in related fields in China.

Market reforms registered 43,000 trading entities, covering 51 percent of power usage. This has facilitated the flow of over 200 billion yuan annually into energy investment and opened grids to private capital.