China’s carbon neutral goal: Non-fossil fuel capacity will soon surpass coal power’s, though much of it remains unused

Utilisation of solar, wind and hydro plants reached only 29 to 62 per cent of that of their coal-fired counterparts in the first half of the year

Fossil fuels’ dominance in China’s energy mix has been falling in the past decade thanks to faster growth in the construction of clean energy projects

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National coal-fired capacity stood at 1,090GW at the end of June, 2.5 per cent higher year on year. Photo: AP

Published: 5:15pm, 27 Jul 2021Updated: 5:15pm, 27 Jul 2021

China’s capacity for generating power from non-fossil energy is poised to exceed that of coal power plants by the end of the year, according to the China Electricity Council.

However, the carbon-intensive fuel will still dominate the nation’s power supply for years to come because so little of the capacity available at renewable energy projects is actually used.

While investment in non-fossil fuel projects will make up 90 per cent of the total 189 billion yuan (US$29.2 billion) to be spent on all power plants being built this year, utilisation of solar, wind and hydro plants reached only 29 to 62 per cent of that of their coal-fired counterparts in the first half of the year, data released by the council on Friday showed.

That means continued hefty investment in low-carbon energy projects and further restraint of coal power plants are needed if rising electricity demand and Beijing’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 are to be met.

“The [2021-25] energy plan needs to restrict coal power capacity within 1,100 gigawatts to prevent the risk of an extended approval spree that could imperil China’s climate commitments and credibility,” environmental group Greenpeace said in March, noting 46GW of new coal power capacity was approved last year, more than in the previous three years combined.

National coal-fired capacity stood at 1,090GW at the end of June, 2.5 per cent higher year on year, while non-fossil fuel capacity had leapt 17.8 per cent to 1,020GW, council data showed.

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