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Accelerating the planning and construction of a new energy system and building a new pattern of energy system development is crucial for ensuring national energy security and achieving green and low-carbon transformation in China. On the basis of reviewing the development course of China’s energy system over the past ten years and grasping the current situation of the international energy field and the new goals of China’s energy development, this study clarifies the implications of a new energy system that is “safe and efficient,” “clean and low-carbon,” “multi-dimensional and collaborative,” and “intelligent and inclusive.” It explores the new energy system from the aspects of total energy consumption and structural evolution, security guarantee of coal, increase in reserves and production of oil and gas, and cost reduction and efficiency improvement of non-fossil energy sources. Moreover, a development strategy of adhering to systematic thinking, innovation, and reforms is proposed, as well as the construction goals of the new energy system by 2035 and 2050. Furthermore, key measures for the construction of the new energy system are recommended, including (1) promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of the energy sector, (2) promoting the coordinated development of urban and rural energy systems, (3) building a multi-drive energy-supply system, (4) strengthening research on key core technologies, and (5) establishing a new energy-evaluation system. The study is expected to provide theoretical guidance and practical support for the construction of the new energy system.

Energy is the lifeblood of the national economy. At present, China’s energy development situation is severe, and its external dependence on crude oil and natural gas is relatively high. Considering the national conditions of coal, strengthening the clean and efficient utilization of coal is strategically significant; specifically, the clean and efficient coal transformation is an important approach. This study summarized the status quo of clean and efficient coal transformation, and analyzed the high-end, diversified, low-carbon, and intelligent development trend of the industry as well as the technology development trends that include coal transformation to clean fuels, coal transformation to bulk and special chemicals, and pollutant control in coal transformation. Moreover, the study analyzed the development challenges regarding water resources, carbon emissions, product competitiveness, and supporting policies, and proposed a development idea that is led by planning, demonstration, and innovation. The research suggests that the strategic position of clean and efficient coal transformation in the energy system should be clarified, the national coal-to-oil-and-gas strategic reserve mechanism should be established, financial credit and energy statistics policy support should be strengthened, and the scientific and technological innovation ability should be improved by building research and development platforms.

The period before 2035 is critical for China to realize socialist modernization. The high-quality development of its energy industry must consider basic national conditions and development stages. Moreover, promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of the energy industry while guaranteeing a stable energy supply is the prerequisite for ensuring the sustainable economic and social development. This study summarized the current status of China’s energy development from six aspects: energy capacity, energy structure, comprehensive energy efficiency, energy science and technology, system and mechanism, and energy security. The key issues of energy development were analyzed, focusing on the role of coal for guaranteeing energy security, replacement of traditional energies with renewable energies for incremental energy consumption, sustainable supply of oil and gas, independent development of nuclear power, and large-scale development of the hydrogen energy industry. Four stages were proposed for the energy revolution and carbon reduction in China by 2035. Furthermore, we suggest that energy conservation should be prioritized in all aspects, clean and efficient use of coal should be promoted, renewable energies should be the major source of future energy increment, and low-carbon transformation should be accelerated to create an energy system that features multi-energy complementation.