“电力自由”如何赋能中国制造

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the growing importance of electricity as a competitive factor in global industries, highlighting China's achievement of "electricity freedom" as a significant competitive advantage amidst global energy challenges [1][16]. Group 1: Electricity Market Trends - Since 2019, global average electricity prices have been rising and becoming more volatile, indicating an unstable electricity market due to insufficient investment in energy sources and aging grid infrastructure [1][3]. - In contrast, China has not experienced similar price increases, attributed to decades of strategic energy planning and infrastructure investment, resulting in China's electricity generation surpassing that of the U.S. by 2024, reaching 2.3 times the U.S. output [3][5]. Group 2: Stability and Cost Advantages - China's electricity supply stability is bolstered by advanced ultra-high voltage transmission technology and a unified national power market, leading to competitive electricity prices for industrial users, approximately $0.1 per kWh, significantly lower than the U.S. at $0.15 per kWh and even lower than European countries [5][8]. - The low and stable electricity supply is crucial for high-energy, asset-heavy industries, where energy costs can account for 40%-50% of total production costs, making them sensitive to energy price fluctuations [8][10]. Group 3: Competitive Edge in Industries - China's leading position in the global battery market, with a 56% share in 2024, exemplifies the competitive advantage derived from low energy costs and technological superiority, particularly in high-energy sectors [10][12]. - The chemical industry is witnessing a shift towards "overseas contraction and Chinese expansion," with China becoming a net exporter of chemical products due to its energy and cost advantages, while traditional chemical powerhouses in Europe face declining global market shares [13][16]. Group 4: Impact on Manufacturing Competitiveness - Electricity is reshaping the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing, contributing to an increase in China's global export share and a trade surplus exceeding $1 trillion, supported by a stable energy system [16][17].