SAFE’s Center for Grid Security has published a fact sheet detailing the PRC’s strategic investments in their transmission network and grid infrastructure. While the U.S. currently enjoys an advantage over China’s grid infrastructure, the CCP’s recent investments aim to close the power generation and transmission gap that currently exists between the PRC and the U.S. China’s approach presents a stark difference between the United States’ approach to future energy expansion, presenting China an opportunity to edge out America’s advantage in advanced technologies.
Takeaways from the fact sheet include:
- China has invested significantly more in transmission development compared to the United States.
- Transmission investments increase China’s access to abundant and affordable energy, allowing them to maintain power over defense-critical supply chains.
- Grid infrastructure expansion has supported China’s efforts to invest in artificial intelligence technologies, and cut into the advantage the United States has in the sector.
- China has prioritized national interests in its energy infrastructure investment decisions; the United States must do the same to maintain its competitive advantage.
