China is tightening its grip on the world’s clean energy supply chains as the war in Iran sends shockwaves through oil and gas markets, forcing governments to accelerate their shift to renewables.
The country already produces the bulk of the world’s solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and electric vehicles.
Now, with fossil fuel supplies disrupted by US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, Chinese exports of green technologies are surging.
Shares in battery giant CATL have soared, while electric car maker BYD reported a 65 per cent jump in overseas sales in March.
Solar manufacturer Jinko Solar also confirmed rising exports since the conflict began.
Beijing is capitalising on the moment as Washington retreats from clean energy.
The Trump administration recently blocked offshore wind projects and cut tax support for renewables, while China pledged to raise its share of non-fossil fuel consumption to 25 per cent by 2030.
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Governments across Asia and Europe are responding to the crisis with new commitments.
Indonesia plans to install 100 gigawatts of solar power within two years, the Philippines is offering loans for household solar, and Germany has unveiled an €8 billion package to expand wind power and subsidise electric vehicles.
Analysts say these moves will funnel business towards China, whose companies dominate global supply chains. “They have absolute competitiveness in cost and quality,” said Lin Boqiang of Xiamen University.
Clean tech already accounted for more than a third of China’s economic growth in 2025, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Yet geopolitical tensions loom large a western governments are wary of overreliance on Chinese technology, with the UK recently blocking a turbine factory over security fears.
Beijing has dismissed such claims and launched a trade barrier probe into US restrictions on green imports.
“The future of energy is as much about geopolitics as economics.Countries are not only choosing between fossil fuels and renewables, but also between competing global camps,” said Li Shuo of the Asia Society Policy Institute.