#Sustainability #USA #Envision #Lei Zhang #Ulanqab

Lei Zhang: A Visionary in Sustainable Energy

In a remarkable recognition of his contributions to the field of sustainable energy, Lei Zhang, the founder and CEO of Envision, has been honored as a Sustainability Trailblazer at the 2026 Reuters Global Sustainability Awards. This prestigious award acknowledges his exceptional leadership in innovating energy systems that harness renewable resources, smart technology, and industrial advancements to foster shared prosperity.

The Reuters Global Sustainability Awards have been honoring exemplary efforts in sustainability for 17 years, with this year's event attracting over 700 entries evaluated by a panel of 25 independent judges. The Sustainability Trailblazer Award specifically honors business leaders who challenge the status quo with innovative ideas and actions, demonstrating inspiring leadership and a commitment to creating a sustainable impact.

In his acceptance speech, Zhang emphasized that as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the global economy, energy access will be a fundamental constraint on AI growth. He advocates for a future energy system that is infinite, smart, and cost-effective, where AI accelerates the growth of clean energy without competing with households, hospitals, and industries for electricity access. For Zhang, sustainability is not merely an obligation but a pathway towards a new prosperity.

In line with this vision, Zhang launched the GOBI mission in 2026. The goal is to deliver 5 gigawatts of renewable energy-powered AI infrastructure by the year 2030. One of the highlights of this initiative is the Galaxy Campus, which officially opened in August located in Ulanqab. This flagship project houses the largest AI data center globally and is fueled entirely by renewable electricity.

The Galaxy Campus integrates large-scale computing, renewable energy, and intelligent energy management within a cohesive infrastructure architecture, set to support AI computation at gigawatt scale. With a computing capacity poised to reach up to one million petaflops (PFLOPS), this ambitious project aims to marry AI computing with resource-rich regions abundant in wind and solar energy.

This initiative is not just about meeting the growing demand for computing power; it's about catalyzing investments in clean energy. The approach allows computing to adapt to clean energy sources rather than the reverse, thereby promoting sustainability.

Zhang’s vision is encapsulated by Envision’s motto, “To Create a New Prosperity for Civilization.” He is dedicated to translating technological innovation into sustainable economic, industrial, and social value. Earlier this year, he was also noted for being the first private sector entrepreneur to be awarded the President's Prize from the Energy Institute, further affirming his influence in the energy domain.

The recognition by Reuters highlights Zhang's push for a new model of energy infrastructure that transcends individual technological breakthroughs. He advocates for scalable systemic solutions that deliver both environmental and economic value while expanding the benefits of AI technology in the energy sector.

As sustainability challenges continue to evolve, leaders like Lei Zhang are essential in driving the transition toward a more resilient and sustainable future. His commitment to integrating renewable energy with AI initiatives serves as an inspiring example for other leaders in the industry to follow, paving the way for a new era of innovation that prioritizes the planet along with profitability.