The push towards achieving carbon neutrality, commonly referred to as the “dual carbon” goal, is gaining momentum across various regions in China, most notably Hebei, Jilin, and QinghaiThese provinces are not merely targeting increased renewable energy generation but are also vying for synergistic development of industrial clusters to unleash the full potential of clean energyIt's not just limited to these provinces; China's overall energy transformation and advancement in clean energy have shown remarkable success over the yearsThe clean energy sector is gradually establishing itself as a crucial pillar of China's modern industrial framework, enhancing the industry's self-reliance and resilience through continuous growth.

When we look more closely, several domains illustrate the progress China has made, particularly in photovoltaic (PV) power generation, wind energy, and electric vehicles—each sector now boasts a comprehensive manufacturing supply chain that encompasses everything from raw materials and components to complete systems and their recycling processesFor instance, the average efficiency of Chinese photovoltaic cells has surpassed an impressive 25%, making domestic firms dominate global rankings, occupying all twenty spots at the top of efficiency chartsIn terms of wind energy, China is also leading in the evolution of large scale wind turbines, including advancements in components such as blades and towersThe central economic work meeting underscored the necessity of aligning efforts to simultaneously reduce carbon emissions and pollution while promoting green growthFortifying the resilience of the clean energy industry is not merely beneficial; it is essential for the green transition of energy production and consumption.

However, as promising as these advancements are, the clean energy sector still grapples with significant obstacles and challengesFor example, there remains a gap in the independence of industrial chains, with critical raw materials and core technologies often becoming bottlenecks hindering progress

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There is also a lack of diversified technological paradigms and insufficient exploration of application scenarios, particularly regarding emerging fields like energy storage and hydrogen power, where viable commercial models have yet to fully developMoreover, the growth of productive services is still in its infancy, exhibiting limited efficacy in areas such as risk-sharing, value addition, and innovation stimulationAddressing these issues requires a dual approach targeting both supply and demand sides of the economy to augment the utilization of clean energy.

Tackling the core issues related to essential raw materials and pivotal technologies will be one of the primary steps to bolster supply resilienceThis includes optimizing the mining layout of critical strategic resources such as nickel, lithium, and cobalt—resources vital for supporting clean energy advancementsEnhancing the concentration of advanced and efficient production capabilities, while also improving resource utilization efficiency, is paramountThis would involve phasing out low-end and ineffective production capacitiesMoreover, establishing a robust recycling and reuse framework and enhancing policy incentives will play pivotal rolesDriving autonomous innovation is crucial as well: focusing on breakthroughs in core technologies associated with high-end equipment, new materials, and chips is essential for advancing the clean energy industry.

In pursuit of diversified applications within the industry, it becomes vital to strengthen market demandIn the realm of products, continuous efforts need to be made to expand and reinforce the supply chain while transitioning from low-value products to high-end and high-value alternatives that cater to higher-end market demandsTechnologically, bolstering collaboration and integration is necessary; speeding up the interlinking of electricity, heat, hydrogen, and storage will be key in exploring synergetic development between clean energy and other sectors such as ecology, agriculture, and cultural tourism

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At the application level, initiatives like the "Desert-Wind-Solar Mega Base," "Whole County Rooftop PV Projects," and the "Wind Power Actions in Thousands of Villages" can expedite the formation of mature business models for clean energy industries across urban and rural sectors, public spheres, and industrial parks.

Crucially, cultivating the productive services industry is central to enhancing the overall ecosystem of the clean energy sectorDeveloping an industrial ecological network can foster a tighter, more efficient organizational structure within supply chains, thereby boosting overall productivity and resilienceIn this context, the empowering roles of digital, financial, and logistics services are instrumentalDeepening the integration of the digital economy with the clean energy sector involves reinforcing the foundational capabilities of digital infrastructure, creating platforms for information sharing, and elevating the intelligence across all stages of the industrial chain is paramountGiven the unique characteristics of product distribution and sales, establishing robust logistics networks that align with domestic supply-demand dynamics or cater to extensive export needs must be prioritized.

Another important avenue to explore is the push for an open and cooperative clean energy industry driven by institutional opennessEnhancing the industry’s international competitiveness in green, low-carbon practices while sculpting a strong brand comprised of environmentally-friendly products and technologies is essentialFurthermore, improving the management of green supply chains will contribute significantly to reducing the carbon footprint throughout the lifecycle of productsThe process of aligning the standards and certification systems of offshore wind power and other clean energy technologies with international norms will assist in creating a more coherent global strategyFurthermore, active participation in the formulation of global standards and certifications in areas where China holds independent patents and intellectual property will enhance China’s influence and command over the burgeoning clean energy sector.

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