BUSINESS

Former State Grid Chairman Comes Under Anti-Graft Investigation

Published: Aug. 1, 2026 2:38 a.m. GMT+8

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Xin Baoan

Xin Baoan, former chairman and Communist Party chief of State Grid Corp. of China, is under investigation by China’s top anti-graft authorities, more than two years after stepping down from the world’s largest utility company.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission said on Friday that Xin is being investigated for suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations. The 66-year-old power-sector veteran led State Grid from January 2021 to March 2024.

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Xin Baoan, ex-chairman of State Grid, is under investigation for suspected disciplinary and legal violations.
Predecessor Kou Wei received a suspended death sentence for corruption, underscoring energy sector scrutiny.
During Xin’s tenure, renewable capacity grew from 530m kW to 1.8b kW, surpassing coal power.

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Who’s Who

State Grid Corp. of China: State Grid Corp. of China is the world's largest utility, supplying 1.1 billion people. It reported assets of 6.2 trillion yuan ($916 billion). Former chairman Xin Baoan is under investigation for suspected violations, reflecting ongoing anti-corruption scrutiny in the state energy sector. Under his leadership, the grid operator dramatically expanded renewable capacity, surpassing coal-fired power.

China Huadian Corp.: Xin Baoan worked at China Huadian Corp. for 14 years, holding several senior roles, as per the article.

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What Happened When

Before 2020：: Xin Baoan worked for 14 years at China Huadian Corp., holding several senior roles.

2020：: China's combined installed wind and solar capacity was 530 million kilowatts.

January 2021 to March 2024：: Xin Baoan led State Grid Corp. of China as chairman and Communist Party chief.

2021 to 2025：: The 14th Five-Year Plan period; State Grid oversaw expansion in renewable energy capacity under Xin's tenure.

2023：: A regulatory change imposed stricter caps on transmission and distribution tariffs for grid operators.

March 2024：: Xin stepped down from State Grid.

End of 2025：: China's combined installed wind and solar capacity reached 1.8 billion kilowatts, overtaking coal-fired power capacity; State Grid reported total assets of 6.2 trillion yuan.

April 2026：: Xin's predecessor Kou Wei received a death sentence with a two-year reprieve for embezzlement, bribery, and abuse of power.

July 9 to 11, 2026：: Xin made a U.S. trip for discussions on energy transition with U.N. Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua and China's Permanent Representative to the U.N., Fu Cong.

July 26, 2026：: Xin's last reported public appearance at an industry event in Hangzhou.

August 1, 2026：: The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission announced that Xin Baoan is under investigation for suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations.

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