China fully halts electricity imports from Russia
Photo: China stopped buying electricity from Russia (Getty Images)
Starting January 1, 2026, China has completely halted electricity imports from Russia and is not purchasing even the minimum volume under the contract, reports Kommersant.
According to the outlet’s sources, the refusal to continue supplies was the result of high export prices, which, from January 202,6 for the first time exceeded domestic prices in China. This made further purchases unprofitable for Beijing.
Inter RAO (the export-import operator) exported surplus electricity from the Far East to China.
The electricity supply contract was signed with China’s State Grid Corporation in 2012. It is valid until 2037.
It was envisaged that about 100 billion kWh would be supplied to China over the entire period, or about 4 billion kWh per year. The electricity pricing formula set by the contract is unknown.
Sources say that electricity exports to China in 2026 are unlikely to resume. At the same time, Russia’s Ministry of Energy allows for a resumption of exports if a new request is received from China.
As a reminder, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that China is currently not demonstrating readiness to join efforts toward a peaceful settlement of the war. Beijing’s actions only strengthen Russia’s financial capacity to continue its aggression against Ukraine.
According to the head of state, China has significantly increased its purchases of Russian energy resources, becoming their largest importer. The money from energy exports is spent on the war.
In response, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that since the start of the full-scale war, Beijing has maintained close contact with all parties, Ukraine and Russia, and has consistently advocated for a ceasefire and the start of peace talks.
