Amid growing global concerns over carbon emissions and climate change, China’s energy strategy has taken a distinct turn, prioritizing energy security over immediate fossil fuel reduction. Recent research by environmental organization Greenpeace has revealed that China approved over 50 gigawatts (GW) of new coal power in the first half of 2023. This move highlights the nation’s emphasis on ensuring a stable energy supply rather than an immediate reduction in fossil fuel consumption.
China, the world’s largest carbon polluter, has been grappling with the impacts of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and droughts. These events have prompted the government to intensify its efforts to counter the effects of reduced hydropower production and potential power outages, which has led to the approval of additional coal-fired power plants.
Gao Yuhe, leading the research for Greenpeace, points out the paradox between China’s commitment to energy transition and energy security. “China’s government has put energy security and energy transition at odds with one another,” she stated.
While Beijing has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030, President Xi Jinping’s commitment to start reducing coal use between 2026 and 2030 is now facing challenges. Gao highlights that Beijing’s recent statements indicate a continued growth of coal power until 2030, albeit at a “reasonable pace.”
This approach is evident in China’s National Energy Administration (NEA), which has approved the construction of new coal power plants to address the decline in hydropower generation and ensure a stable energy supply. Coal output in China increased by 9% in 2022, reaching 4.5 billion tons, and this trend has persisted into 2023.
China’s stance mirrors global patterns, as the International Energy Agency reported a record-high global coal consumption of 8.3 billion tons in 2022, driven by growth in Asia.
Despite officially positioning new coal-fired power plants as backups for renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydro, concerns have been raised about China’s reliance on coal, hindering investment in critical energy storage infrastructure for renewables. This bias towards coal has also led to questions about the economic motivations behind the surge in coal power approvals.
In contrast to the rise in coal power, China’s renewable energy installations continue to expand rapidly, with capacity increasing by 109 GW in the first half of the year. While coal remains a significant part of China’s energy mix, the continued growth of renewables signals a promising shift towards cleaner energy sources and increased competition for fossil fuels in the future.
