China’s coal consumption remains a major concern despite efforts to reduce emissions
China is the world’s largest energy consumer and is heavily reliant on coal. In 2023, the country’s global operating coal capacity grew by 2% to 2,130GW. However, this growth is not without concern, as the world’s second-largest economy continues to grapple with the consequences of its coal consumption.
Coal-fired power plants remain a contentious issue
While some argue that coal-fired power plants are necessary to meet peak power demand and stabilise the grid, others claim that they are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Coal produces significantly more CO2 per unit of energy than other fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, because it contains a higher carbon content.
- Coal is expected to play a significant role in China’s energy mix for the foreseeable future.
- However, the country’s coal consumption is declining due to increasing demand from renewable energy sources.
- Despite these trends, China’s state planner and energy regulator has announced plans to continue building coal-fired power plants through 2027.
| Year | Cool Consumption | Cool-fired Power Plants |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2% growth | 2,130GW |
| 2024 | 83% fall in coal permits | 2,130GW |
| 2027 | Continued growth | Continued growth |
“The new guidelines stipulate that newly built coal plants should have between 10% to 20% lower carbon emissions per unit of power output than the 2024 fleet. It also calls for upgrades to some existing coal plants which do not meet these conditions.”
Improving efficiency and reducing emissions
While China’s coal consumption remains a concern, the country is taking steps to improve the efficiency of its coal-fired power plants and reduce emissions. Newly built and upgraded coal plants should be able to safely and reliably adjust their output to help meet peak power demand, according to the new guidelines.
- China is building almost twice as much wind and solar energy capacity as every other country in the world combined.
- Renewable energy sources are expected to play a major role in China’s energy mix in the future.
- The country is also investing in new technologies to improve the efficiency of its coal-fired power plants.
Renewable energy development in China
China is ramping up its renewables development, with 180GW of utility-scale solar and 159GW of wind power already under construction. In July 2024, the Global Energy Monitor revealed that China is building almost twice as much wind and solar energy capacity as every other country in the world combined. Key highlights:
- China is building the world’s largest 1GW offshore solar project.
- 180GW of utility-scale solar and 159GW of wind power are already under construction.
- China is investing in new technologies to improve the efficiency of its coal-fired power plants.
Conclusion
While China continues to rely on coal for some time as it transitions to renewable power, the country is making progress in reducing its emissions and improving the efficiency of its coal-fired power plants. However, the country’s coal consumption remains a major concern, and it is crucial that China continues to prioritize renewable energy development and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. As the world’s second-largest economy, China has a significant impact on global energy markets and climate change. By investing in renewable energy and reducing its emissions, China can help mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future.
