China persistently relies on an extensive use of coal. - China Persists in Dependence on Coal for Energy Needs
Title: China's Power Dilemma: Balancing Coal and Renewable Energy
In the first half of 2024, the world held its breath, anticipating China's shift towards cleaner energy sources. However, recent findings from the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) and Global Energy Monitor reveal a surprising turn of events. Contrary to earlier indications, China remains deeply entangled in coal, powering its energy production with the polluting fossil fuel.
The report highlights that in 2024, China embarked on constructing coal projects with a total capacity of approximately 94.5 gigawatts, marking the highest such initiative since 2015. Although only 30.5 gigawatts of this capacity went online, it was less than the previous year's 49.8 gigawatts, revealing a slowdown in the implementation process.
Breaking the Global Trend
This revelation sets China apart in the global energy landscape. In contrast to the global trend of reducing coal capacity, China remains an outlier, expanding its coal power, according to the report's authors. The report further highlights a significant decline in solar and wind energy utilization in the fourth quarter of 2024 while maintaining high power generation from fossil fuels, despite a diminishing electricity demand growth.
Expert Opinion: Coal's Persistent Presence
Crea analyst Qi Qin weighed in on the situation, stating, "China's rapid advancement in renewable energy offers the potential to revolutionize its energy system. However, this potential is thwarted by China's simultaneous extensive expansion of coal power." Qin underscores the fact that this expansion is often instigated by industrial interests instead of actual grid demand, potentially keeping China tethered to fossil fuels.
China's Renewable Energy Prowess
Despite the reliance on coal, China reigns as the global leader in renewable energy expansion. Last year, China surpassed all other countries in installing solar and wind energy, according to its national energy authority. With a whopping 356 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels and wind turbines, China eclipsed Germany, which installed approximately 16.2 GW of photovoltaic capacity and 2.5 GW of wind capacity in 2024.
However, it's important to note that China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide. The country aims to reach its CO2 emission peak by 2030 and attain carbon neutrality by 2060.
The interplay between coal and renewable energy in China is a complex balancing act. As China strives to decarbonize while ensuring energy security, the transition away from coal requires managing robust industrial systems built around coal, including power plants, logistics, mining, and chemical industries.
The Chinese government is implementing policies to phase out fossil fuels gradually, while ensuring energy stability. By 2050, China's emissions are projected to fall by 70% compared to the current levels, providing promising signs of progress in its clean energy transition.
Challenges Ahead
Integrating renewables into the grid remains a challenge for China, with high curtailment rates—waste of renewable energy—historically plaguing the country. Recently, data suggests that curtailment may be rising again in some regions. Furthermore, recent regulatory updates, such as the introduction of coal capacity pricing mechanisms and guaranteed purchase of renewable energy, aim to boost grid flexibility and transparency, but emerging trends indicate ongoing challenges.
As China navigates this power dilemma, it seeks to balance its commitment to carbon neutrality with the need for energy security. Incorporating renewable energy and managing the continued role of coal is a delicate act, crucial to attaining its ambitious carbon emissions targets.
- Despite being the global leader in renewable energy expansion, the recent findings reveal that China is still heavily reliant on coal for its energy production, going against the global trend of reducing coal capacity.
- Qin, a Crea analyst, emphasizes that while China's advancement in renewable energy is significant, its simultaneous expansion of coal power is a major obstacle to fully transitioning away from fossil fuels.