Coalpower in China: decline in the new permits or just a pretext?

Coalpower in China: decline in the new permits or just a pretext?

This week a new study caused a stir, which shows that China's expansion of the coal -fired power plants apparently recorded a decline. According to a report by the Environmental Protection Organization Greenpeace, which refers to the first six months of the year, only 10.34 gigawatts of new coal -fired power projects were approved, which corresponds to a dramatic decline of 79.5 percent. "We could see a turning point now," said Greenpeace expert Gao YHAU in a statement. This could indicate a fundamental change in China's energy policy, but with the reservation that without strict measures that stop coal expansion directly, a return to the old practice would be conceivable.

The numbers that Greenpeace presents are remarkable and could give the impression that China finally takes his responsibility seriously as the greatest carbon dioxide emittent. But a closer look at the situation shows that not everything is as clear as it seems. Experts point out that despite these negative permits in the first half of the year, the construction of coal -fired power plants with a total output of 41 gigawatts is in full swing. This represents a clear contradiction to the positive development that seems to show the falling permits.

contrasting developments in the coal sector

In fact, the Chinese government plans to bring 80 gigawatts to the network of additional coal -fired power plants by the end of the year. These plans are a clear signal that the fuel coal will continue to play a central role in the country's energy strategy in the coming years. The persistent urge to energy from coal could significantly jeopardize China's environmental goals and contradict the international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The power plants that have already been approved but not yet built remain another questionable element in this discussion. These projects show that coal mining is by no means belonging to the past and that the ambitions for the energy transition may not be as robust as they are staged. In many cases, these projects are planned for a long time and could quickly get back to the foreground as soon as there are political or economic incentives.

• approved coal -powered projects in the first half of 2023: 10.34 gigawatt.
• Agency of the approved projects: 79.5 percent compared to the previous year.
• started coal -powered projects: 41 gigawatts in the first six months of 2023.
• planned commissioning new coal -fired power plants by the end of the year: 80 gigawatt.

The both positive and negative developments in the coal sector of China give the debate about the country a new dimension as the main decent of CO2. While the authorities may try to present a more environmentally friendly facade, the reality remains that the coal continues to make a large part of the energy supply. It will be exciting to observe how this will affect China's international climate obligations and whether the pressure from outside can actually lead to a fundamental change in the country's energy policy.

a double -edged sword

Overall, it should be noted that developments in China's coal sector are a complex matter. While the decline in the approved new projects could be seen as a positive sign, the promise to put far -reaching new coal -fired power plants into operation remains a serious challenge. The global struggle against climate change continues to make it more difficult, and it is asked whether China will be able to master the balancing act between economic growth and environmental protection.

In terms of coal expansion in China, it is important to take into account the political and economic framework conditions that influence these decisions. China has committed a number of global climate goals, but at the same time faces enormous economic challenges and massive energy requirements. In recent years, national politics has often been looking for a balance between ecological goals and the pursuit of economic growth.

political and economic framework conditions

The Chinese government has emphasized the importance of energy security and economic stability. Despite international commitments to reduce carbon emissions, one sees the pressure of a growing population and progressive industrialization. Economic considerations often play a crucial role in the planning and approval of new coal -fired power plants. Many provinces in China are dependent on coal power to meet their industrial requirements, which does not make the decision to approve new projects.

climate goals and their implementation

China to reach the climax of its CO2 emissions by 2030 and become climate-neutral by 2060. These objectives were confirmed at the World Climate Summit in Paris 2015 and the climate conference in Glasgow 2021. Despite these ambitions, however, there are concerns how quickly and effectively these goals can be implemented. The dependence on coal as the primary energy source is still strong and is a challenge in reducing emissions. According to the International Energy Agency , Kohle 2020 was still responsible for 56% of energy supply in China.

In order to complete the necessary change, long -term investments in renewable energies and the development of technologies for carbon separation and storage are required. The challenge will be to advance these technologies while the direct energy requirement is covered at the same time.

Current statistics for carbon use

The latest data on carbon use in China show that the proportion of coal in primary energy supply is still high. According to the Statista Report of 2023, more than 50% of the total energy consumption in China from Kohle was won. This underlines the need for a clear timetable in order to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and at the same time to ensure the fulfillment of the energy needs.

In addition, it should be noted that the promotion of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar energy, has been significantly increased. China has expanded its capacities in these areas in recent years, but the introduction has to be made even faster to make real progress in climate change.