BEIJING — Recent findings from two clean energy organizations indicate that China’s power sector initiated the construction of nearly 100 gigawatts of new coal-fired plant capacity in 2023, marking the highest level of activity in almost ten years.
This surge in coal development raises serious questions regarding the nation’s capability to fulfill its climate commitments and poses a potential threat to the remarkable growth of its solar and wind energy sectors, which have significantly outpaced similar advancements in the U.S. and Europe.
According to the report, instead of transitioning away from coal, the country is merely adding renewable energy sources to an already established dependence on fossil fuels.
This report is part of a semi-annual evaluation of China’s coal projects conducted by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, based in Europe, and Global Energy Monitor, which operates out of the U.S.
The data reveals that 94.5 gigawatts of coal power plant capacity commenced construction in 2023, a total not seen since 2015, as documented in Global Energy Monitor’s global coal plant database.
Furthermore, activities have also resumed on 3.3 gigawatts of previously halted projects.
According to the report, “A considerable number of new plants will be operational over the next two to three years, reinforcing coal’s position in the overall power supply.”
Alarmingly, it highlights the risk of fossil fuel energy crowding out solar and wind contributions. In the last quarter of 2023, fossil fuel-based electricity production remained elevated, while the utilization of solar and wind power saw a marked decline.
This uptick in new coal construction was anticipated following a wave of government approvals for coal plants in 2022 and 2023, as stated by Qi Qin, an analyst specializing in China for the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
She urged the Chinese government to halt the construction of already-approved coal power plants to mitigate overcapacity issues, lower emissions, and better adhere to its climate pledges.
In 2020, President Xi Jinping set ambitious climate targets, including a peak in carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Analysts suggest that China may have already reached peak levels of carbon emissions, with the next critical step being an actual reduction.
Recently, China joined several other countries in failing to meet a U.N. deadline for submitting a national plan aimed at cutting emissions by 2035.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reassured that the government is in the process of developing that plan, which will be presented “in due course this year.”
The report from the two clean energy organizations highlights that China was responsible for a staggering 93% of global coal power construction starts in the past year.
However, proposals for new or revived coal plant projects decreased to 68.9 gigawatts from over 100 gigawatts in the previous two years, indicating that construction activity may be starting to slow down, according to the report.
Moreover, the approval of new coal power capacity in China dropped to 66.7 gigawatts last year, following a significant spike in 2022 and 2023.
