A new report reveals that China’s power industry began constructing nearly 100 gigawatts of new coal plant capacity last year, marking the highest level of activity in nearly a decade. This significant development has raised alarms about the country’s commitment to its carbon reduction objectives and poses risks to the extensive growth of solar and wind power, which has outpaced similar advancements in the United States and Europe.
The report, prepared by the Europe-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and the U.S.-based Global Energy Monitor, emphasizes that rather than phasing out coal, clean energy sources are being added to an already entrenched reliance on fossil fuels.
In 2024, construction commenced on 94.5 gigawatts of coal power capacity, the highest annual figure since 2015, according to Global Energy Monitor’s comprehensive coal plant database. Additionally, work resumed on 3.3 gigawatts of previously suspended projects.
The report predicts that a significant number of new coal plants will become operational in the next two to three years, further entrenching coal’s dominance in the country’s power system. Concerns have emerged that this surge in coal power construction could undermine solar and wind capacity expansion, with fossil fuel electricity generation remaining high while solar and wind utilization has sharply decreased in the last quarter of 2024.
Chinese President Xi Jinping set two major climate goals in 2020: to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Analysts suggest that China’s carbon emissions may have already peaked, with the next challenge being their reduction.
The report also highlights that China accounted for 93% of global coal power construction starts last year. However, proposals for new or revived coal plant projects decreased to 68.9 gigawatts last year, down from over 100 gigawatts in the previous two years, indicating that construction activity may begin to slow.
Credit: ABC News
