Since early 2023, Chinese companies have pledged more than $180 billion for clean energy projects outside China, according to a report by Climate Energy Finance. These firms produce most of the world’s solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles. They invest in full supply chains, from mining to recycling, helping other countries build green power systems.
China drives this change with large factories, low costs, and strategic planning. Leaders encourage firms to go global, focusing on places with big energy needs and signing agreements to share technology.
The result is a major shift in energy and trade flows. Developing nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East are becoming key hubs for green industries.
China Leads Global Clean-Tech Production
China dominates new clean energy plants. From 2018 to 2024, it controlled 80% of new solar, wind, battery, and hydrogen facilities worldwide, per the CEF report. Companies such as CATL and BYD set the pace, exporting billions in technology yearly.
Chinese investments cover complete supply chains. Mines, factories, battery plants, recycling centers, and renewable energy projects are all linked. By building such integrated systems, China ensures efficiency, scale, and long-term influence.
Trade agreements and political deals help China expand its reach. Firms get faster approvals, and pacts often include tech-sharing. These moves reshape how energy is produced, consumed, and traded globally.
In a separate report from SNE Research, China controls about 69% of the global electric-vehicle (EV) battery market in 2025. This dominance reflects the country’s strong control over battery supply chains, from material sourcing to manufacturing.
As a result, Chinese firms now significantly influence global battery prices, standards, and EV supply worldwide.
Targeting the Global South: Jobs, Tech, and Energy
Over 75% of China’s projects go to developing nations, and many align with the Belt and Road Initiative. The country selects locations with strict rules, clear policies, and high energy demands.
Chinese companies often form joint ventures with local partners. This approach shares jobs, skills, and technology. Governments support the investments with loans and incentives. Private companies lead the push, but state backing ensures that projects move quickly.
New investments reduce energy costs and create thousands of jobs. Countries see faster industrial growth and benefit from upgraded grids and green exports. China also adapts to local rules, meeting requirements for local labor, content, or training to secure contracts.
Southeast Asia: Batteries, EVs, and Solar Take Off
The world’s biggest emitter is making major moves in Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, CATL is building a $6 billion battery complex in West Java. The plant produces 6.9 GWh per year using nickel from local mines. Recycling units close the loop, and over 10,000 jobs will be created.
In Malaysia, EVE Energy invests $1.2 billion in energy storage, while BYD plans EV factories for cars and buses. GCL Technology also supports solar farms across the region. With these, trade with China is hitting new highs.
Thailand gets battery production from Sunwoda, a $1 billion plant with training centers. Moreover, Changan adds EV research sites, partnering with local firms. As seen in the chart below, the majority of the global battery manufacturers are Chinese firms.
China also uses tax breaks and fast permits to accelerate projects. Local content rules help create steady supply chains. These moves double trade with China and upgrade regional energy grids quickly.
Middle East Goes Green: Solar, Wind, and Hydrogen
China supports Middle Eastern countries in shifting away from fossil fuels. In Saudi Arabia, Shanghai Electric joins a $1.1 billion solar farm, powering 1.5 million homes. ACWA Power trains local staff in China.
Meanwhile, in Morocco, Gotion builds a $5.6 billion battery factory for Europe and local markets. Joint labs create green materials with a 100 GWh yearly capacity.
In Oman, JA Solar’s $564 million plant is producing 6 GW of solar cells. Also, wind turbine projects complement the country’s energy plans. Egypt gets hydrogen projects from LONGi, and Nigeria signs $8.27 billion in clean energy pacts. China brings full technology stacks, turning deserts into power hubs.
These investments lower energy costs, create jobs, and support ambitious national energy plans.
China Expands in Europe
China also targets European energy needs, especially for batteries. Hungary becomes a hub with CATL’s largest European plant in Debrecen. The site aims to produce 100 GWh per year and runs on green power. BMW is a target customer to source from it, and thousands of jobs are expected.
In Spain, CATL and Stellantis are opening a $4.1 billion plant in Zaragoza, producing 50 GWh of batteries starting in 2025. France hosts AESC’s Douai factory, with a target capacity of 40 GWh by 2030. Investments also reach Portugal and Slovakia to avoid EU tariffs.
China brings training programs and research centers, too. Partnerships help local firms gain knowledge and strengthen EV supply chains.
With all these, Europe benefits from faster compliance with car electrification rules by 2035.
Transforming Latin America
In this region, China reshapes Brazil’s auto industry. BYD converts a Ford plant into the region’s largest EV hub, producing 150,000 cars in the first phase. Local steel is used, and later phases add battery production.
Notably, Envision develops a net-zero industrial park, including hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels.
Wind, solar, and hydro projects expand with Chinese partnerships. China Three Gorges develops hydro plants, while grids are upgraded. As such, energy costs drop by 20%, accelerating green transitions in the region.
A Global Strategy with Local Benefits
China’s clean-tech expansion spreads soft power through technology. Research centers abroad train STEM workers, while new agreements ensure long-term cooperation.
A series of high-level bilateral deals were formed in 2025, linking China to emerging nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Investments grew by 80% in just one year, and local partners led sales and operations, building trust and reducing tensions.
The Global South, therefore, benefits from cheaper energy, industrial growth, and faster decarbonization with all these projects. Chinese firms remain at the core, guiding global clean-tech supply chains and speeding the transition to net-zero emissions.
China’s Clean-Tech Reach Is Global
China’s $180 billion clean-tech push is reshaping global energy and trade. It creates jobs, reduces energy costs, and spreads green technology. Developing nations gain industrial capacity and know-how while China secures a strong position in global supply chains and expands its influence.
However, careful management is essential. Host nations must enforce local rules, train workers, and build long-term capacity. If done correctly, these investments accelerate global net-zero goals and shift industrial power toward the Global South.
China’s strategy shows that clean energy is not just a domestic goal; it is a global project with wide-reaching economic and environmental impacts.
