China, the Electrostate

China's evolving energy landscape is explored, focusing on the country's unique approach to balancing economic growth, energy security, and environmental concerns. The discussion highlights China's significant hydropower potential, including the massive Tibetan mega-dam project, and its role in offsetting coal consumption. Despite a surge in new coal capacity, driven by coal miners seeking to secure their future, renewables are increasingly cost-competitive, leading to complex market dynamics where contract violations occur due to oversupply. China's innovation in battery technology, spurred by intense competition and state support, mirrors its success in solar and wind, enabling new applications and driving down costs. The conversation also touches on China's per capita electricity consumption, now on par with developed European countries, and the potential for green hydrogen in industrial applications.