Due to the rapid industrialization and the rise of living standards (quality of life) rose strongly in the energy. In 1985, approximately thirteen consumes as much energy as in 1957. Per capita consumption of energy but is low in international comparison in about half of the international section and about one tenth of per capita consumption in the United States. Therefore a further strong rise in energy demand forecast. The year 1990 marked the first turning point in energy: China became a net importer of energy. At the end of 1993 China has also become a net importer of crude oil. The largest proportion of energy but is still obtained from coal, which accounted for about 70 percent of total energy consumption.

The People's Republic of China is the main foreign investor in Sudan. Meanwhile cover the African country an estimated 6-8 percent of Beijing's total oil imports, with a third of Sudan's oil goes to China. Since April 2006 promotes Sudan 365,000 barrels a day, although the capacity is already estimated at 500,000 barrels a day has been extended - due to technical problems with the Malaysia-built oil pipeline, this potential has not yet been exploited. It is expected in the foreseeable future, an increase to 800,000 barrels a day.

The massive exploitation of coal mines repeatedly demanded a high price. The pits are considered to be miserable, and buried again mate among themselves. 80 percent of fatal accidents in coal mining industry worldwide has happened in China.

For more energy sources, are numerous nuclear power stations in construction, the first in Qinshan (Zhejiang province) is in operation since 1991. The numerous hydroelectric projects, such as the famous Three Gorges Dam are energetic politically motivated.

Serious energy shortages and periodic blackouts or power outages are planned in major cities, especially in the booming regions, in the agenda, citizens as well as companies are constantly called upon to energy saving measures.

China aims for 2020 with more nuclear power installed capacity from the current 7.5 gigawatts to 36 gigawatts to increase. The share of nuclear power generation in China is thus from 1.2 percent to about 4 percent increase. Currently there are four nuclear power reactor with ten blocks in China, a further five reactor units with a total capacity of 4220 MW are being built. According to World Nuclear Association, China plans the construction of 116 nuclear reactors.

China will also increase the use of renewable energies. 2006 grew the installed wind power in China by about 91 percent of 1260 MW to 2405 MW and in 2007 to 3300 MW.By 2020 to 20,000 MW (20 GW) wind power installed. In 2004, approximately 64 million square meters of solar thermal collectors installed. For comparison: in Europe were approximately 14 million square meters installed. By 2020, in China a total installed collector area of 270 million m2 forecast.