Latest customs data released on August 18 reveals that during the first seven months of 2026, Hunan Province shipped a combined RMB 14.33 billion worth of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products—collectively dubbed the "New Three Exports"—marking a 26.6% year-on-year increase and cementing green energy products as a key engine for the province's foreign trade upgrading.
In Nigeria's capital Abuja, a 7.6-megawatt solar power station and 14-megawatt energy storage system built by Red Sun New Energy are now delivering round-the-clock public electricity to the West African city that has long struggled with blackouts. "We've moved beyond simply exporting equipment to offering integrated exports of technology, services, and solutions," said a company representative. The firm has abandoned the single-product export model in favor of delivering comprehensive energy solutions that combine solar power, storage, and intelligent control systems. To address the shortage of local electrical engineering talent in Africa, the company provides full-cycle services spanning project design, construction, workforce training, and long-term maintenance, helping partner nations build self-sufficient power development and operations frameworks.
During the first seven months of this year, the company secured RMB 735 million in new orders with a further RMB 441 million in potential pipeline, positioning Africa as the core growth driver of its overseas business and burnishing Hunan's reputation in the new energy export arena.
Customs statistics show robust growth across all three product categories. Electric vehicle exports reached RMB 8.42 billion, up 15.3%; lithium-ion battery shipments climbed 42.8% to RMB 5.23 billion; and photovoltaic product exports surged an impressive 91.1% to RMB 680 million, signaling accelerating momentum in overseas solar market expansion.
The geographic footprint is diversifying rapidly, with emerging markets delivering explosive growth. The Philippines, Brazil, and Germany stand as Hunan's top three "New Three Exports" destinations, with shipments of RMB 1.49 billion, RMB 1.42 billion, and RMB 1.39 billion respectively—up 306%, 59.6%, and 66.7% year-on-year. Exports to ASEAN, the EU, and Africa reached RMB 4.22 billion, RMB 3.01 billion, and RMB 860 million, rising 18.1%, 97.7%, and 87% respectively. Multiple countries including Malaysia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, and Russia recorded tenfold-plus growth, steadily broadening the market landscape.
Regional export performance shows a pattern of core hubs leading with widespread gains elsewhere. The Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan urban cluster remains the export heartland, accounting for 81.6% of the province's total "New Three Exports" value. Changsha alone shipped RMB 9.12 billion, representing 63.6% of the provincial total, while Xiangtan and Zhuzhou contributed RMB 1.71 billion and RMB 870 million respectively. Meanwhile, several prefecture-level cities are unlocking their foreign trade potential, with Huaihua, Changde, and Chenzhou posting notably strong export growth rates.
Private enterprises continue to drive market vitality as the dominant force. In the first seven months, private firms exported RMB 13.67 billion worth of "New Three Exports," accounting for 95.4% of the total and growing 23.3% year-on-year. State-owned enterprises shipped RMB 630 million with a 177.2% increase, while foreign-invested enterprises recorded a remarkable 268.7% growth rate. The coordinated strength of diverse market participants is jointly propelling Hunan's high-quality green foreign trade development.