China's energy crisis highlights weaknesses in Xi's power plans

Liberalising the power market still poses risks to consumers; more storage needed to manage intermittency of renewables

China’s energy crisis has highlighted weaknesses in one of President Xi Jinping’s top priorities -- energy security -- that could have ramifications for the power system for years to come. 
 

To avoid repeats of the chaos ravaging the world’s second biggest economy, the country will probably have to take major steps toward reshaping its grid and power market, building fuel reserves, and adding more renewable and flexible energy sources.

“These are all on the cards and there will be great impetus once the dust has settled on this episode,” said Michal Meidan, director of the China Energy Research Programme at the