China to build 100 GW coal-fired power plants

The share of electricity generated in China from coal is constantly growing.

In 2022, the country generated 56.2% of its electricity from coal. The role of gas and renewable energy is growing, but fluctuations in supplies from wind turbines, solar panels, as well as weak hydroelectric power generation due to drought are forcing the government to look for a “safety cushion” in the energy sector.

As a result, as emphasized in the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China, China approved the construction of another 106 GW of coal power plants in 2022 (the highest figure since 2015). 50 GW is already under construction at the moment. At the same time, the Chinese consulting company The Lanta Group is confident that the peak of coal consumption will occur in 2024, after which RES will cover the new growth in energy demand for the first time.