The Importance and Recommendations for Completing the Motor Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan

According to the latest updates from the forefront of the high-efficiency, energy-saving motor industry, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Energy Conservation Department announced that, due to various challenges encountered during implementation, the "Motor Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan (2013–2015)" will not be completed as scheduled. As a result, the motor energy efficiency enhancement project is set to become a long-term endeavor.

The Energy Conservation Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated that, two years after the implementation of the "Motor Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan (2013-2015)," while efficient and energy-saving motors have achieved some progress—such as the phasing out of certain low-efficiency models—significant challenges remain in the industry. Notably, the issue of falsely advertised energy efficiency ratings persists, and many companies still face numerous problems in terms of mandatory enterprise registration. Moreover, from a market perspective, low-efficiency motors continue to enjoy substantial demand, with some enterprises even persisting in manufacturing outdated models. Meanwhile, many companies remain cautious about shifting toward the production of high-efficiency motors.

Key Focus Areas of the Motor Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan (2013–2015)

In June 2013, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued the "Motor Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan (2013–2015)," which outlined a goal to cumulatively promote 170 million kilowatts of high-efficiency motors by 2015, phase out 160 million kilowatts of inefficient motors currently in use, implement energy-saving upgrades for motor systems totaling 100 million kilowatts, and carry out the efficient remanufacturing of 20 million kilowatts of retired motors.
The plan proposes that by 2015, motor products will undergo upgrades and replacements, with 50% of low-voltage three-phase squirrel-cage induction motors and 40% of high-voltage motors meeting the energy efficiency standards for high-efficiency motors. Additionally, it aims to cumulatively promote 170 million kilowatts of high-efficiency motors, phase out 160 million kilowatts of inefficient motors currently in use, implement energy-saving technology upgrades for motor systems totaling 100 million kilowatts, and carry out efficient remanufacturing projects for 20 million kilowatts of retired motors. By 2015, the initiative is expected to save 80 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity—equivalent to reducing standard coal consumption by 26 million tons and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 68 million tons.

The plan also highlights that, to promote the transformation of motor manufacturing, the 2012 edition of the new energy efficiency standards for motors will be fully implemented, prohibiting motor enterprises from producing inefficient motors below Energy Efficiency Grade 3. To enhance the industrialization capacity of high-efficiency motors, Fujian, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and other provinces and cities will be supported in establishing 3 to 5 demonstration projects for the industrialized production of high-efficiency motor stator and rotor stampings, with an annual production capacity reaching 700,000 tons. Additionally, Suzhou, Shanghai, and other regions will receive support to develop 2 to 4 demonstration projects for the industrialized production of advanced insulation materials and insulation systems, achieving an annual output capacity of 50,000 tons. Meanwhile, enterprises such as Wugang and Baosteel will be assisted in upgrading their technological capabilities for large-scale production of high-grade cold-rolled silicon steel sheets, with an annual capacity expected to reach 1.7 million tons.

The Significant Importance of Enhancing Motor Energy Efficiency

Motors are the driving devices that power a wide range of equipment, including fans, pumps, compressors, machine tools, conveyor belts, and more. They are extensively used across multiple industries and sectors—such as industry, agriculture, transportation, and municipal services—and represent the largest category of electricity-consuming end-use devices. In 2011, China had approximately 1.7 billion kilowatts of installed motor capacity, with total electricity consumption reaching around 3 trillion kilowatt-hours. Motors accounted for 64% of the nation’s total electricity usage and 75% of industrial electricity consumption. Meanwhile, the average efficiency of China’s motors remains 3 to 5 percentage points lower than in developed countries, while the operational efficiency of motor systems (combining motors with their associated drive equipment) lags behind international standards by 10 to 20 percentage points.

It is estimated that for every 1% improvement in motor energy efficiency, more than 26 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity can be saved annually. Moreover, if motor system efficiency increases by 5 to 8 percentage points, the annual electricity savings would be equivalent to the power generation capacity of 2 to 3 Three Gorges Power Stations.

Due to the unique characteristics of electric motors in the field of energy conservation and low carbon emissions, developed countries have all prioritized improving motor efficiency as a key energy-saving measure. The United States began mandating high-efficiency motors in 1997 and later extended this requirement to ultra-efficient motors in 2011. Meanwhile, the European Union also initiated mandatory adoption of high-efficiency motors in 2011. Through national legislation, research and development of advanced motor systems, and efforts to promote their widespread use, developed nations have achieved notably high levels of motor efficiency in industrial applications.
Suggestions for the Motor Energy Efficiency Improvement Project

It is understood that in the future, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will fully leverage fiscal subsidy policies to boost the efficient motor market. On one hand, it will effectively implement the financial subsidy policy for promoting high-efficiency motors under the Energy-Saving Products Benefit-the-People Program. On the other hand, it will gradually make the selection of high-efficiency motors a mandatory requirement for general equipment such as high-efficiency fans, pumps, and compressors to qualify for inclusion in the Energy-Saving Products Benefit-the-People Program, thereby extending the industrial chain of fiscal subsidies aimed at popularizing efficient motors.

High-efficiency, energy-saving motors utilize new motor designs, advanced manufacturing processes, and innovative materials. By minimizing losses in electromagnetic, thermal, and mechanical energy, these motors significantly boost output efficiency. While the technology is already quite mature—meaning most companies are now capable of producing them—progress on the Motor Energy Efficiency Improvement Program has yet to meet its original targets. This delay stems from several key challenges: the conflict between long-term and short-term interests, the tension between upfront investments and immediate returns, the clash between innovation and reform versus entrenched inertia, and the practical reality of short-term economic imbalances that often accompany corporate restructuring. Nevertheless, China’s remarkable achievements and invaluable lessons from its reform and opening-up policy clearly demonstrate that embracing innovation is undeniably the right path forward.

Industry experts recommend that, drawing on the practical experiences of both advanced industrial nations and China itself, efforts to enhance motor energy efficiency should be intensified across the following key areas: 1. Strengthen regulatory frameworks with clear incentives and penalties, ensuring accountability at every level. 2. Set higher standards and ambitious implementation targets for economically (and industrially) developed regions. 3. Increase financial subsidies, focusing support on leading enterprises while offering additional incentives to those exceeding their targets. 4. Promote large-scale, targeted upgrades or pilot projects aimed at fully adopting high-efficiency, energy-saving motors—transforming pilot sites into industry-leading benchmarks. 5. Conduct research to reduce the production costs of efficient motors, making them more accessible and competitive. 6. Encourage adherence to stringent, even ultra-high standards—such as prioritizing cutting-edge technologies like rare-earth permanent magnet neodymium-iron-boron motors.