Smog-choked China swapping energy independence for cleaner air

Beijing

CHINA is becoming more dependent on overseas natural gas as it seeks to wean itself off coal and avoid the toxic smog that suffocates the country every winter.

The world's largest energy user will increase imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by about 30 per cent this year as domestic production stagnates and the government pushes cleaner fuels in an effort to clear polluted skies, according to SCI International and North Square Blue Oak Ltd. Imported gas, including both seaborne and pipeline supplies, may account for about 40 per cent of the country's gas use by the end of this decade, up from roughly a third last year, they said.

China's possible rising reliance on imported natural gas, along with its plans to spend US$360 billion through the end of the decade on renewable energy generation, highlight the challenges facing government of President Xi Jinping as it seeks to throttle back poisonous air that blankets the northern part of the country during winter. Coal accounted for about two-thirds…