China permits two new coal power plants per week in 2022

In 2022, China experienced a dramatic surge in coal power project activity, permitting 106 GW of new capacity—the highest level since 2015. While 50 GW started construction, representing six times the capacity of the rest of the world combined, the trend is driven by rising peak electricity loads and a rigid grid paradigm. Despite claims that new plants are for "supporting" grid stability, evidence suggests they are intended for baseload use. This expansion occurs alongside record clean energy additions, but risks undermining China's carbon neutrality goals if it leads to a moderation of clean energy buildout or increased CO2 emissions.

• Coal power project activity in China accelerated sharply in 2022, with 106 GW of new capacity permitted, which is more than four times the 23 GW permitted in 2021. This represents the highest level of permitting since 2015.
• China's coal construction starts in 2022 were six times larger than those of the rest of the world combined, with 50 GW starting construction—a more than 50% increase over 2021.
• The surge in coal development is largely a response to a rapid increase in electric peak loads between 2021 and 2022, where the highest recorded momentary load rose by 230 GW due to intense heat waves and increased air conditioner use.
• The most significant project activity occurred in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Hubei. In Guangdong, 10 new megaprojects were approved in the second half of 2022, none of which were in the province's March 2022 five-year plan.
• Although provinces label new plants as "supporting" capacity for grid stability or renewable integration, Environmental Impact Assessments indicate they are intended for baseload operation, with projected run times of 4,500 to 5,500 hours per year.
• China achieved record non-fossil power additions in 2022, adding 125 GW of solar (87 GW) and wind (38 GW) capacity, which covered half of the 3.6% growth in electricity demand.
• The retirement of coal-fired capacity slowed in 2022, with 4.1 GW closed compared to 5.2 GW in 2021, as policies shifted toward keeping inefficient plants online as back-up or retrofitting them.

APA

Global Energy Monitor (2023). China permits two new coal power plants per week in 2022. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-permits-two-new-coal-power-plants-per-week-in-2022_11.pdf

Chicago

Global Energy Monitor. China permits two new coal power plants per week in 2022. 2023. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-permits-two-new-coal-power-plants-per-week-in-2022_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=China permits two new coal power plants per week in 2022 |date=February 2023 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-permits-two-new-coal-power-plants-per-week-in-2022_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalenergymonitor2023china, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{China permits two new coal power plants per week in 2022}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2023}, month = feb, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-permits-two-new-coal-power-plants-per-week-in-2022_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }