Does China really need that much more coal-fired electricity?

Previously in decline due to climate ambitions, coal power plants have made a comeback

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A coal storage centre in Jiujiang, China's central Jiangxi province. Stung by electricity shortages over the past two years, China cranked up production of coal to record levels. PHOTO: AFP

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WITHIN less than a month, Southern China’s Guangdong province approved construction of six coal-fired power plants with a generating capacity of 9.7 million kilowatts, more than all the capacity installed from 2016 to 2020.

The projects were previously considered impossible under the 14th Five-Year Plan through 2025, as China aims to reduce carbon emissions by increasing the use of non-fossil fuels, a person familiar with Guangdong’s coal-fired power projects told Caixin. As part of the fight against climate change, the central government charted a course to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by substituting renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydropower for coal.

“The policy is sharply reversing now,” the person said.

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Climate change Coal Caixin

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