The characters combine logically: 可 (kě) modifies 再生 (zàishēng), which means “to regenerate” or “be born again.” This forms 可再生 (kě zàishēng), “regenerable” or “renewable.” This is then combined with 能源 (néngyuán), the standard word for “energy source.” So, the term literally means “can-be-regenerated energy source,” a perfect and direct translation of “renewable energy.”
The significance of 可再生能源 (kě zàishēng néngyuán) is not rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy but in China's contemporary national strategy. For decades, China's rapid economic growth was fueled by coal, leading to severe air pollution and environmental degradation. In response, the Chinese government has made a monumental pivot towards sustainability. This term is a cornerstone of the national policy known as 生态文明 (shēngtài wénmíng) - “Ecological Civilization.” This concept, enshrined in the constitution, frames environmental protection and sustainable development as central to the nation's future prosperity and rejuvenation. 可再生能源 is the primary tool to achieve this vision and meet ambitious goals like carbon neutrality (碳中和, tàn zhōnghé) by 2060. To compare, in many Western countries, the push for renewable energy is often a contentious political issue with strong grassroots movements and market-driven incentives. In China, while public awareness is growing, the transition is characterized by a top-down, state-led mobilization of resources on an unprecedented scale. Therefore, when you hear 可再生能源 in a Chinese context, it's not just an environmental buzzword; it's a signal of national priority, massive infrastructure projects, and a key element of China's technological and geopolitical ambitions.
可再生能源 is a standard term used across various contexts, from formal to semi-formal.
The connotation is almost universally positive, associated with modernity, clean living, technological advancement, and a responsible future.