China is increasing its coal power production, despite advancements in renewable energy, primarily due to soaring domestic electricity demand and concerns over energy security. With a record coal mining output of 4.7 billion metric tons in 2023, the country continues to develop new coal-fired power plants, approving 106 gigawatts of new capacity—enough to power the entire UK.
China’s largest coal plants, like the Togtoh Power Station and Huadian Laizhou, each emitted over 27 million tons of CO2 in 2022.
While China is a global leader in renewable energy capabilities, boasting over 750,000 megawatts of wind and solar capacity by 2022, the integration of these renewable sources into the power grid is slow, hampered by inadequate infrastructure.
Although the country plans to begin phasing down coal usage between 2026 and 2030, it has not entirely committed to a full coal phase-out.
Efforts are underway to transition from coal, such as decommissioning less efficient plants and incorporating renewable projects into new coal facilities.
China leads in green job creation, particularly in solar energy, but faces significant challenges in retraining workers affected by the transition away from coal. A potential loss of 8.2 million jobs in the coal sector underscores the need for supportive policies to facilitate this shift toward clean energy.
In conclusion, while China positions itself as a leader in renewable energy, its continued reliance on coal reflects pressing demands for electricity and energy security. The path to a sustainable future necessitates effective integration of renewables, robust infrastructure development, and supportive policies to transition the workforce from coal dependency to greener job opportunities.
Addressing these challenges is vital for China to achieve its long-term climate goals while ensuring energy stability. [1]
