The EU Ambassador to China has called on Beijing to halt the construction of coal-fired power plants, pointing out that the rapid approval of such projects is inconsistent with China’s environmental objectives.
Addressing an EU-hosted event in Beijing, Jorge Toledo highlighted the war in Ukraine’s importance for energy security. He noted that the EU has managed to address this issue without relying on fossil fuels.
Toledo expressed concern over China’s surge in coal approvals in the latter half of the previous year. Beijing gave the green light to 66.7GW of new coal-fired power capacity in 2024, with the majority in the final months. One gigawatt is the energy capacity equivalent to a significant coal power plant.
The momentum for constructing new coal power plants is also substantial. A report last month by the Global Energy Monitor and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found that China was responsible for 93% of global coal power construction starts in 2024. Additionally, it noted that long-term power purchase agreements, which establish minimum coal power quotas for local governments, are hindering the integration of renewable energy into the power grid.
Toledo argued that these trends are unnecessary and that China can abandon coal while maintaining energy security. He stated, “External observers are increasingly perplexed by China’s persistent limitation of domestic renewable generation in favor of potential future coal assets that will become economically unsuitable.”
Experts believe that China’s rapid expansion of renewable energy, alongside the construction of new coal-fired power plants, is pitting clean and dirty energy technologies against each other within the country’s economy.
China is a global leader in renewable energy, with solar and wind installations reaching record levels last year. Solar capacity grew by 45% to 887GW and wind capacity by 18% to 521GW.
China aims to reach its peak emissions by 2030, and many experts predict it will achieve this target ahead of schedule.
Zhang Xiaoye, a scholar from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and co-chair of one of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s working groups, stated that the total electricity generated by renewable energy in China last year equaled the total electricity output in the United States. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between the EU and China for “blue skies and clean water”.
However, there is growing concern and sensitivity regarding China’s dedication to coal. Beijing views coal as an essential safeguard for its economy and energy security. Advocates indicate that publicly discussing a withdrawal from coal can be challenging.
Official statements make it clear that China is not willing to fully transition away from carbon in the near future. A government report released on the first day of China’s annual parliamentary session stated that the country would “continue to increase coal production and supply capacity, and reinforce coal’s fundamental supporting role”.
