On January 30, 2026, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and National Energy Administration (NEA) jointly issued Notice on Improving Generation-side Capacity Pricing Mechanism.
Establishment of a capacity pricing mechanism for grid-side independent new-type energy storage. In terms of grid-side independent new-type energy storage power station serving safe electricity system operation and not engaging in energy distribution, local government can grant capacity prices. On the basis of local coal-fired capacity price benchmarks, the capacity prices shall be converted according to peak-shaving capability ( conversion rate is the ratio of full-power continuous discharge duration to the longest annual net-load peak duration, capped at 1) and considers factors like electricity market development and power system demand. Such projects shall be managed under a project list system, with specific requirements determined by NEA. Provincial energy and pricing authorities shall jointly formulate the project lists.
To the Development and Reform Commissions of all provinces, autonomous regions, Municipality directly under the Central Government and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, National Energy Storage Commission, Tianjin Industrial and Information Technology Bureau, Department of Industry and Information Technology of Liaoning Province, Chongqing Economic and Information Commission, Industry and Information Department of Gansu Province, Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Management, National Energy Administration Regional Offices, State Grid Corporation of China, China Southern Power Grid Company Limited, Inner Mongolia Power(Group) Corporation Limited, China National Nuclear Corporation, China Huaneng Group.,Ltd, China Datang Corporation Ltd., China Huadian Corporation, State Power Investment Corporation, China Three Gorges Corporation, China Energy Investment Corporation Co., Ltd., State Development & Investment Corp., Ltd., China Resources (Holdings) Co., Ltd., China General Nuclear Power Group:
To implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and State Council on advancing pricing reform in the energy sector, accelerate to build new-type energy system, guide the stable and orderly construction of adjustable power supply, ensure safe and stable operation of power system and facilitate green economic and social development, the following matters concerning the improvement of the generation-side capacity pricing mechanism are hereby notified.
I. Overall Approach
In line with the development needs of new-type power system and the electricity market system, greater coordination shall be achieved among safe and stable power supply, green and low-carbon energy transformation and efficient economic allocation of resources. Capacity pricing mechanisms for coal-fired power, natural gas power generation, pumped storage hydropower and new-type energy storage shall be improved in a differentiated manner and electricity market mechanisms shall be optimized. After the continuous operation of the electricity spot market, a generation-side reliable capacity compensation mechanism shall be gradually established. Reliable capacity shall be compensated based on peak contribution capability under unified principles, fairly reflecting the contribution of different types of generation and storage resources to system peak demand.
II. Differentiated Improvement of Capacity Pricing Mechanism
A. Coal-fired power and natural gas generation. In align with the demand of Notice on Establishing a Coal-Fired Power Capacity Pricing Mechanism (NDRC Price Document No. 1501 [2023]), local departments shall increase the ratio of fixed costs recovered through capacity pricing for coal-fired units to no less than 50%, which can be further enhanced according to the practical situation including local market development and utilization hours.
Provincial-level pricing authorities may establish a capacity pricing mechanism for natural gas power generation with capacity price determined by the recovery of a certain proportion of fixed assets.
B. Pumped storage hydropower. For pumped storage projects that commenced construction (Water intake abstraction, temporary land use and environment impact assessment approvals) before the issuance of Opinions on Further Improving the Pricing Formation Mechanism for Pumped Storage Hydropower (NDRC [2021] No. 633, hereinafter referred to as the “Document No. 633”), capacity prices shall continue to be government-regulated and determined or reviewed by provincial pricing authorities in accordance with Document No. 633. After the expiration of operation period, price should be reviewed on principles of compensating necessary technology reform output and operation and maintenance costs.
In spirit of the gradual achievement through participation in market to recoup cost and acquire revenue of Document No. 633, for projects commenced after the issuance of Document No. 633, provincial pricing authorities shall, every 3–5 years, determine a unified capacity price for newly commenced projects within the same provincial grid based on the principle of covering average costs over the operating period according to the cost parameter rules clarified in Document No. 633. Capacity prices shall be reduced for projects with full-power generation duration of less than six hours. Implement years are determined on electricity market construction and development, power system demand and sustainable development of power stations. Meanwhile, pumped storage power stations shall independently participate in electricity energy markets and ancillary services markets. Market revenues shall be shared between the power station and the system according to proportions determined by provincial pricing authorities, with the remaining portion used to offset system operating costs and benefit users.
C. Establishment of a capacity pricing mechanism for grid-side independent new-type energy storage. In terms of grid-side independent new-type energy storage power station serving safe electricity system operation and not engaging in energy distribution, local government can grant capacity prices. On the basis of local coal-fired capacity price benchmarks, the capacity prices shall be converted according to peak-shaving capability ( conversion rate is the ratio of full-power continuous discharge duration to the longest annual net-load peak duration, capped at 1) and considers factors like electricity market development and power system demand. Such projects shall be managed under a project list system, with specific requirements determined by NEA. Provincial energy and pricing authorities shall jointly formulate the project lists.
III. Orderly establishment of a grid-side reliable capacity compensation mechanism
A. General acquirement on reliable capacity compensation mechanism. Reliable capacity refers to the sustainable power supply from units in system peak period all year round. After continuous operation of spot market, provincial pricing authorities together with relevant departments shall establish a reliable capacity compensation mechanism and compensate units’ reliable capacity on unified principles. To compensate the unrecovered fixed cost of marginal units in energy and auxiliary services market, the compensation standards will take electricity supply-demand conditions, user affordability and electricity market development into account and make appropriate adjustments. Regions with high new energy installations and heavy dependable capacity demand shall accelerate to establish a reliable capacity compensation mechanism. Guided by national policies, regions equipped with relative conditions can combine electricity market construction situation to form capacity price through ways like capacity markets.
B. Justify compensation scope. The compensation scope of capacity compensation mechanism may includes coal-fired power, natural gas power and correspondent grid-side independent new-type energy storage that voluntarily participating in local electricity market and combine electricity market development and market-based price reform to gradually expanded into pumped storage hydropower and other units equipped with reliable capacity; no duplicate compensation shall be provided for capacity that receives other forms of support or guarantee. Units subject to government-administered pricing are not eligible for compensation.
C. Ensure effective coordination with capacity price policies. After establishing a reliable capacity compensation mechanism, relevant units including coal-fired power, natural gas power and grid-side independent new-type energy storage shall no longer perform original capacity prices. Leveraging the relatively mature market system, provincial-level pricing authorities may uniformly apply the reliable capacity compensation mechanism to pumped storage hydropower stations whose construction commenced after the issuance of this Notice. Such stations shall also participate in the energy and ancillary service markets, with all market proceeds accruing to the station owners. Pumped storage hydropower stations whose construction commenced after the release of Document No. 633 are encouraged to voluntarily opt for the reliable capacity compensation mechanism and participate in the electricity market.
IV. Improve relevant supporting policies
A. Improve electricity market trading and pricing mechanisms. After the improvement of coal-fired power capacity pricing mechanisms, regions may adjust the floor price of medium- and long-term market transaction prices of provincial coal-fired power according to electricity market supply and demand and all units variable cost participating in market and loose the ratio requirements of coal-fired power medium- and long-term contract signing while ensure power and energy balance. Both supply and demand sides are encouraged to sign flexible pricing mechanisms according to market supply-demand and generation cost changes in medium- and long-term contracts. While supply and demand sides in provincial market signing medium- and long-term contracts, local authorities cannot enforce the fixed-price contracts. They may require that a certain proportion of energy in annual medium- and long-term contracts adopt flexible prices reflecting real-time supply and demand according to power supply-demand and market structure.
B. Improve electricity fee settlement policies. Capacity fee and reliable capacity compensation fee of above adjustable power supply will be included into local system operation fee. In regions where spot markets operate continuously, pumped hydro storage’s pumping/generation and grid-side independent new-type energy storage charging/discharging prices are performed by market rules or real-time spot prices; In regions where spot market do not operate continuously, pumping (charging) price shall follow the grid-procured electricity price for commercial and industrial procxy users. The method for determining the generation (discharging) price shall be established by provincial pricing authorities, taking into account factors such as charging/discharging losses across different technology pathways. During pumping (charging), pumped storage hydropower and grid-side independent new energy storage shall be considered as consumers, liable for transmission and distribution network loss fees and system operation fees, and shall temporarily be subject to transmission and distribution tariffs on a per-energy-consumed basis. The corresponding transmission and distribution fees shall be deducted or refunded for generated (discharged) energy. Market revenue shared by pumped storage hydropower stations according to specified proportions shall be settled monthly and cleared annually.
C. Clarify allocation methods for capacity fees of regionally shared pumped storage hydropower. The allocation ratio for capacity fees of regional shared pumped storage hydropower stations shall be determined by capacity allocation ratio which are encouraged to be improved in a market-based way. For stations with clearly defined capacity allocation ratios, the specific ratio applies; For projects that have been approved but lack a defined capacity allocation ratio, the energy and pricing authorities of the province where the project is located shall organize consultations with the energy and pricing authorities of provinces intending to share the costs to determine and specify the ratio. For newly proposed projects not yet approved, the ratio shall be determined through consultation following the above principles and specified in the project approval document.
V. Ensure effective organization and implementation.
A. Strengthen work synergy. Provincial pricing authorities together with relevant departments shall improve capacity pricing policies and build a reliable capacity compensation mechanism. Besides, they are expected to ensure effective organization and implementation as well as policy interpretation to guide companies strengthen operation and management and boost sound industrial development. Relevant departments should also scientifically evaluate the reliable capacity demand of local electricity systems. Local areas should speed up to establish and improve power market system to encourage the equal access to markets including power and energy and auxiliary services for pumped storage hydropower and new-type storage units so as to better reflect adjustment value and strengthen the adjustable capabilities. Grid companies should work together with departments to roll out data evaluation, sign adjustment and operation agreements and contracts with power stations, perform well in market revenue calculation and settlement, report relative situation to provincial pricing authorities and National Development and Reform Commission( Department of Price). The state will strengthen guidance to all regions to promote smooth implementation.
B. Establish an Electricity Price Affordability Assessment System. Provincial pricing authorities, in conjunction with energy authorities, shall establish a user economic affordability assessment system. The assessment results shall serve as a crucial basis for determining reliable capacity compensation standards, formulating plans for power system regulation capabilities, and development plans for new energy and new energy storage, as well as for approving projects like pumped storage hydropower. Regions with abundant reliable power system capacity or weak user economic affordability shall strictly control the addition of new adjustable power source projects. Projects lacking a user economic affordability assessment shall not be included in planning or approved, and shall not be eligible for capacity fees or reliable capacity compensation.
C. Strengthen Capacity Fee Assessment. Capacity fee assessment measures shall be refined in conjunction with management requirements for various types of generating units, conducting assessments by category to guide units in improving production operation levels and enhancing peak output capability. After the establishment of the reliable capacity compensation mechanism, assessments shall be further strengthened and strictly enforced to fully leverage the guiding role of capacity pricing. Capacity fees or reliable capacity compensation shall be deducted for units failing to meet assessment requirements, with specifics to be clarified by provincial pricing authorities in consultation with relevant parties.
National Development and Reform Commission
National Energy Administration
January 27, 2026
In 2025, under the guidance of relevant departments, the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) led a consortium including North China Electric Power University, the Institute of Finance, Accounting and Auditing of State Grid Energy Research Institute, the Institute of Energy Strategy and Planning of State Grid Energy Research Institute, and the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to complete the research project "Study on Market-Oriented Capacity Compensation Mechanisms for Energy Storage." This study provides an important reference for national policy formulation.
To assist the industry in accurately grasping policy opportunities, CNESA will host an online live broadcast for the "Study on Market-Oriented Capacity Compensation Mechanisms for Energy Storage" Results Release and Policy Interpretation session in the near future. Core experts from the research project will be invited to share the findings and analyze key points of capacity compensation policies.
Everyone is welcome to scan the QR code to schedule the live broadcast.
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