Energy Insider: China Makes Breakthrough in Key Material for ‘Artificial Sun’

1. Chinese researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Metal Research have achieved a significant advance by developing high-purity, industrial-scale quantities of Hastelloy (C276) metal substrate. This material is crucial for second-generation high-temperature superconducting tapes, which are used in controlled nuclear-fusion reactors, often called "artificial suns." This marks an important step in domestic production capability for key fusion reactor technologies in China.[para. 1]

2. In a major shift in Hong Kong’s electric vehicle (EV) market, Chinese carmaker BYD has surpassed Tesla to become the top-selling EV brand. BYD recorded 936 new vehicle registrations in September, overtaking Tesla in a market previously led by the U.S. giant. Electric vehicles have a strong presence in Hong Kong, making up nearly 76% of all new private-vehicle registrations in September, a sharp year-on-year increase of about 95%, with 3,542 new EV units registered during the month.[para. 3]

3. The China Electricity Council projects that national electricity consumption in China will grow by about 5% in 2025, reaching an estimated total of around 10.4 trillion kilowatt-hours. The report also anticipates that growth in electricity consumption in the fourth quarter will exceed that of the third quarter. Data from the first three quarters already show a 4.6% year-on-year rise, totaling 7.77 trillion kilowatt-hours consumed.[para. 5]

4. Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., a major wind turbine producer in China, aims to increase the proportion of its total sales that come from overseas markets to one-third within the next five years, up from 29.4% in the first half of 2025. This goal is underpinned by robust international growth, as Goldwind’s overseas business has expanded at about a 50% compound annual rate over the past five years.[para. 7]

5. The Jurong pumped-storage power station in Jiangsu province has commenced full operations and is distinguished by having the world’s tallest dam for such a facility, standing at 182.3 meters. The plant boasts a total installed capacity of 1.35 million kilowatts and is expected to generate approximately 1.35 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, as reported by State Grid.[para. 9]

6. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has introduced its first draft mandatory national standards governing the safety of electric-bicycle (e-bike) charging stations. This proposed regulation, which is currently open for public comment, aims to address and reduce fire risks related to e-bike charging.[para. 11]

7. Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd. reported a net profit of 25.5 million yuan ($3.5 million) for the first three quarters of 2025. This marks a return to profitability after being in the red during the same period last year. Notably, third-quarter net profit increased 364% year-on-year, reaching 557 million yuan on a revenue of 6.2 billion yuan.[para. 13]

8. Pang Xiaogang, general manager of State Grid Corp. of China, has received a new appointment as deputy director at the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). Pang, aged 53, previously took charge of State Grid in June 2024 and has held several positions at China Southern Power Grid Co. Ltd. earlier in his career.[para. 15]