A new survey of coal power projects in China suggests that massive renewable energy additions may be dampening the country’s coal-based development. With new renewable energy build-outs now capable of meeting all incremental power demand in China, the need for new coal is waning, and there are signs the central government may be embracing this change.
Key findings from the briefing “China puts coal on back burner as renewables soar” by The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and Global Energy Monitor show:
● Following the accelerated permitting of over 100 gigawatts (GW) of new coal power annually in 2022 and 2023, China has abruptly curtailed approvals for new coal power plants, approving just twelve projects totaling 9 GW in H1 2024, an 83% decline compared to H1 2023 .
● New and revived proposals in H1 2024 totaling 37.4 GW are also trending lower than in H1 2023 (60.2 GW) and H1 2022 (47.8 GW), indicating a possible tapering of new project development – although not at the same pace as the permit slowdown.
● Since 2023, China has added over 400 GW of new solar and wind power, driving down China’s coal power generation by 7% from June 2023 to June 2024.
● If renewables continue to cut into coal generation then a peak in China’s CO2 emissions – pledged to happen before 2030 – is on the horizon, if not already here.
Access the complete brief here
