China mulls 1,100GW coal power cap by end-2020

The country aims for peak CO2 reduction by around 2030 latest.

China intends to cap its coal-fired power capacity at 1,100GW and reduce the number of coal mines to 5,000 by the end of 2020, from 5,268 in late 2019. According to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country seeks to eliminate outdated power coal-fired power units and small coal mines. Production by large-scale coal mines should reach 96% of the country’s total output.

In June, the government committed to honouring its pledges under the Paris agreement despite the coronavirus epidemic. China’s NDC set the objective of achieving a peak CO2 reduction around 2030, or earlier if possible; lowering CO2 per unit of GDP by 60% to 65% from 2005 levels; increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 20%; and increasing the forest stock volume by around 4.5 bcm above the 2005 level.

China also plans to increase the share of renewables in the power mix to 28.2% in 2020. The share of renewables excluding hydro is expected to reach 10.8%. Ten provinces and regions must produce at least 30% of power from renewable sources, whilst 9 provinces and regions target more than 15% of power generation from non-hydro sources. Regional power grid operators have been requested to allocate power capacity according to the targets.

This article was originally published by Enerdata.