On January 11, 2026, the “16th Launch of Forecasting & Prospects Research Reports on Energy Economy” took place in Beijing. This notable event featured the release of six significant research reports that explore various facets of China’s energy landscape and the global energy economy. The reports included “China’s Energy Development Prospects for the 15th Five-Year Plan Period,” “Research and Outlook on China’s Energy Economy Index 2026,” “Research on the Global Energy Transition Index (2015-2024),” “International Crude Oil Price Analysis and Forecasting in 2026,” “Reviews and Prospects of China and World Carbon Markets (2026),” and “Review and Outlook of Low-Carbon Computing Power Services.”
This research initiative, led by distinguished Professor Yi-Ming Wei, is crucial in response to the evolving international and domestic energy economics and climate policies. Since 2011, these reports have been an annual tradition of the Beijing Institute of Technology, drawing considerable attention from society for their insightful analyses and forecasts regarding the energy sector.
The release event brought together a diverse mix of experts from various governmental and academic institutions, including the National Energy Administration, China Meteorological Administration, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and several universities. Notably, over 3000 participants engaged in the event, both online and in person, highlighting the widespread interest in energy economics.
At the opening ceremony, Bencong Wang, Vice President of Beijing Institute of Technology, welcomed attendees. Professor Yi-Ming Wei outlined the event’s significance, elaborating on the energy economic landscape of 2025 and offering forecasts for 2026. The session was chaired by Professor Baojun Tang, who oversees the School of Management and serves as Deputy Director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research.
The report release session was led by various esteemed academics, each sharing key findings from their respective studies. Professor Ronggang Cong and Professor Qiaomei Liang respectively chaired these sessions, fostering an engaging dialogue on the future of the energy economy.
**Future Prospects**: One of the standout presentations was delivered by Professor Hua Liao, who discussed “China’s Energy Development Prospects for the 15th Five-Year Plan Period.” He emphasized that during this planning period, a sustainable driving force for the development of China’s new-type energy system would emerge. Anticipating a historic turning point in traditional fossil energy consumption, Liao highlighted that new energy sources would contribute significantly to macroeconomic regulation and overall economic growth.
**Energy Economic Landscape**: Professor Baojun Tang presented insights from “Research and Outlook on China’s Energy Economy Index 2026.” He noted a steady improvement in the macroeconomy in 2025, driven by a robust energy sector. In 2026, the hydrogen energy industry is expected to thrive alongside electric vehicles and photovoltaics. However, to sustain this momentum, it’s imperative to curb excessive internal competition, ensuring high-quality development.
**Global Energy Transition**: Dr. Yun Wu, author of the “Research on the Global Energy Transition Index (2015-2024),” reported that the global energy transition in 2024 had surpassed levels seen in 2015. Nevertheless, rising polarization in energy trade networks poses a risk to system stability. Wu cautioned against worsening disparities among countries, urging vigilance towards energy equity and transition enablement as China ranked 13th in global energy transition efforts.
**Energy Market Analysis**: Professor Lutao Zhao, author of the report on “International Crude Oil Price Analysis and Forecasting in 2026,” provided predictions for the oil market, suggesting a weakening influence of supply-and-demand fundamentals on oil prices. He noted that geopolitical tensions and non-fundamental factors might exert additional downward pressure on prices, projecting average Brent and WTI crude oil prices to fall within specific ranges.
**Carbon Market Insights**: Professor Ke Wang discussed “Reviews and Prospects of China and World Carbon Markets (2026).” He emphasized that China experienced remarkable growth in its national carbon market during 2025. Moving forward, there’s a pressing need to invigorate market trading vitality and align more closely with global carbon pricing mechanisms and cross-border emission-reduction standards.
**Low-Carbon Computing Power**: The discussion on “Review and Outlook of Low-Carbon Computing Power Services” by Professor Ronggang Cong highlighted the critical transition of China’s computing power industry towards green and low-carbon development. He called for a grand vision anchored in sustainability, where a robust, integrated low-carbon computing power service system could enhance China’s position from being a “computing power large country” to a “computing power strong country.”
The conference fostered vibrant discussions among experts from various sectors. Led by Professor Hua Liao and Associate Professor Meng Shen, sessions encouraged engaging dialogues and critical commentary on the presented research findings.
The event was organized by several prominent entities within the field, including the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, the Beijing Laboratory for System Engineering of Carbon Neutrality, and various academic institutions, underscoring the collaborative effort to advance the energy dialogue in China.
For more detailed insights from the reports, an online resource is available at https://ceep.bit.edu.cn/zxcg/ndycbg/index.htm.