Stats suggest China is approving an increasing number of coal-fired power stations. 

According to a recent report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and the Global Energy Monitor (GEM), China approved the construction of an additional 106 gigawatts of coal-fired power capacity in 2022, equivalent to the construction of two large coal power plants per week. 

This marks the country's highest level of approval in seven years. 

The report also revealed that the amount of coal power capacity under construction in China was six times larger than that in the rest of the world combined.

In 2022, 50GW of coal power capacity went into construction across China, up by more than 50 per cent compared to the previous year. 

Many of these projects received permits at an accelerated rate and were moved to construction within a matter of months. 

Flora Champenois, an analyst at GEM, has commented on the speed at which the projects progressed, saying; “The speed at which projects progressed through permitting to construction in 2022 was extraordinary, with many projects sprouting up, gaining permits, obtaining financing and breaking ground apparently in a matter of months”. 

While many of the newly approved projects are identified as “supporting” base load capacity designed to ensure power grid stability and minimise blackout risks, the authors of the CREA-GEM report highlighted that many of these projects are being built in regions that already have a clear capacity surplus. 

The authors suggest that power supply issues would be better addressed by improving grid reliability and efficiency.

In September 2021, China suffered a wave of blackouts due to coal supply shortages, which cut off thousands of homes and factories. 

To address this issue, China aims to rebound its coal power capacity in the coming years to address concerns about power shortages. 

However, renewable power capacity additions in the country have remained at record levels, with solar installations at 87GW in 2022, and that capacity is expected to rise further in 2023.

China has been attempting to rejuvenate its economy after growth and employment were negatively impacted by stringent “zero-COVID” measures last year, leading to concerns that its low-carbon efforts would be sidelined. 

The country aims to bring its carbon dioxide emissions to a peak by 2030, but it remains uncertain what level it will reach.