UK-China Partnership to Trade 140 TWh Green Energy by 2030

A groundbreaking energy partnership between the UK and China just opened the door to massive clean energy trading that benefits both nations.

Octopus Energy partnered with China's PCG Power to create Bitong Energy, a new company focused on trading renewable electricity across China's rapidly expanding power market. The joint venture was announced during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing in late January.

The company aims to trade up to 140 terawatt hours of renewable power annually by 2030. That's enough electricity to power tens of millions of homes with clean energy from solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries.

Bitong Energy will start operations in Guangdong province, China's largest electricity spot market, then expand nationwide as more regions open their energy markets. The venture combines PCG Power's expertise in commercial renewable energy with Octopus Energy's cutting-edge software that optimizes how batteries and clean power sources perform.

The timing couldn't be better. China's electricity demand is expected to jump by one-third over the next five years as the nation continues its industrial growth. New government rules now require at least 10% of electricity to be traded on open spot markets this year, creating a massive opportunity for renewable energy trading.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership represents more than just business. It shows how international cooperation can accelerate the clean energy transition while creating economic wins for both countries.

The venture expects to generate around £50 million in annual profits, with half flowing back to the United Kingdom. That money supports jobs, innovation, and further clean energy investments in British communities.

Octopus Energy has been on a roll with strategic partnerships lately. In July 2025, UK pension provider Smart Pension committed £330 million to clean energy funds managed by the company, including Britain's first investor-funded ground-source heat pump network. In September, South Korea's LG Electronics teamed up with Octopus to integrate smart heat pumps with the company's AI-powered Kraken energy platform across European markets.

These collaborations demonstrate how combining technology, capital, and international expertise can unlock solutions that no single country could achieve alone. When nations work together on climate solutions, everyone wins.

As China races to meet growing energy demand while cleaning up its grid, partnerships like this prove that renewable energy isn't just environmentally smart—it's economically powerful too.