In recent years, images of China’s rapid industrialization have become all too familiar: from enormous factories, and infrastructure projects, to the ubiquitous smokestacks of the nation’s power plants. While China’s industrial and service sectors have increasingly adopted a free-market attitude, the lifeblood of China’s economy, energy generation, has been under strict control, driven by monopolies and government pricing restrictions – that is until now. China is in the process of deregulating its energy sector, one of the last commanding heights of the central government. Electricity distribution, transmission, and sale reforms are urgently needed if China wishes to create a modern grid to support, rather than hinder, its changing economy. Deregulating the dragon Currently, 35 nations, representing 44 percent of global energy usage, have deregulated energy sectors. China makes 36, representing 25 percent of global energy use. Consequently, China’s reforms will see the majority of worldwide energy […]