Hitachi Energy leverages global technology expertise to advance Shaanxi's position as a clean energy innovation hub

The 13th Meeting of the International Advisory Council of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Government, held in Xi’an on Sept.3, invited James Zhao, Executive Vice President and Head of North Asia Region at Hitachi Energy, to deliver a keynote speech, sharing insights and recommendations to advance Shaanxi’s low-carbon energy development.

As the global low-carbon energy transition accelerates, electrification deepens, and demand for AI computing surges, electricity consumption continues to rise worldwide. As the critical link between electricity supply and demand, power grids are playing an increasingly strategic role. James noted that, as China accelerates the development of a new energy system during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, building an efficient, secure, and resilient modern energy infrastructure network has become essential to supporting economic and social development in the years ahead. 

James emphasized that Shaanxi is not only a major national energy base and a key hub for west-to-east power transmission, but also benefits from strengths in advanced manufacturing, technological innovation, and openness to international collaboration. These advantages provide a solid foundation for the province to build a green energy innovation hub. As the development of a new power system continues to advance, demand is accelerating in areas such as renewable energy transmission capacity, grid flexibility enhancement, sustainable equipment deployment, and digital-enabled energy solutions, creating significant opportunities for industrial upgrading and low-carbon transformation.

As a global technology leader, Hitachi Energy has operated in Shaanxi for more than 25 years, with its Xi’an manufacturing base playing an active role in the development of China’s power system. Through continuous investment and production upgrades, the site has become Hitachi Energy’s largest dry-type capacitor manufacturing base globally, providing high-performance capacitors and power quality solutions to customers in China and around the world. Building on Shaanxi’s strengths in industrial ecosystems, geographic advantages, and innovation resources, Hitachi Energy will continue expanding its presence in the province, actively supporting key power infrastructure projects and enabling the secure integration of renewable energy and long-distance power transmission through advanced technologies and equipment, helping to build the energy systems of the future.

Drawing on Hitachi Energy’s global experience in the energy sector, James shared three recommendations:

Build a global demonstration corridor for sustainable power technologies and enable innovations validated in Shaanxi to be delivered worldwide

Building on Shaanxi’s manufacturing strengths and leveraging opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and other international markets, accelerate the large-scale deployment of advanced sustainable power technologies such as SF₆-free high-voltage switchgear and natural ester transformers. Enhance the international competitiveness of low-carbon power equipment validated in Hitachi Energy leverages global technology expertise to advance Shaanxi's position as a clean energy innovation hub support the province’s ambition to become a global hub for deploying and exporting sustainable power technologies.

Harness the rapid development of AI to create mutual empowerment between power and computing

Coordinate the development of Shaanxi’s energy and digital infrastructure and support the establishment of green computing hubs in Yulin and Xi’an. At the same time, accelerate the adoption of AI technologies in energy-related fields such as virtual power plants and asset operations and maintenance, fostering a virtuous cycle where clean electricity supports computing and computing enhances power systems, creating a replicable “Shaanxi model.”

Deepen international cooperation in the energy sector and build an open and collaborative innovation ecosystem

Bring together universities, research institutes, energy developers and operators, equipment manufacturers, and multinational companies to advance research and commercialization in areas such as grid modernization, energy storage, green hydrogen, and low-carbon industrial parks. By combining the strengths of international companies in technology, standards, and global market access with the local market knowledge, application scenarios, and engineering execution capabilities of domestic enterprises, Shaanxi can accelerate the development of new drivers for sustainable growth.

In closing, James noted that, with the development of green industrial value chains, the continued advancement of new power systems, and deepening international cooperation, Shaanxi is well positioned to strengthen its competitive advantage within China’s low-carbon development landscape. Hitachi Energy will continue to leverage its expertise in power technologies, digital solutions, sustainable equipment, and global project experience to strengthen collaboration and innovation with partners, contributing to Shaanxi’s low-carbon transition and high-quality economic and social development.