China’s new coal power spree continues as more provinces jump on the bandwagon

China is experiencing a significant increase in coal power capacity, with 37 GW starting construction and 52 GW permitted in the first half of 2023. The report argues that most of these projects violate central government policies intended to limit coal to a supporting role for renewables, instead serving as bulk power generation. This trend, driven by energy security concerns and a desire to maximize carbon-intensive capacity before the 2030 peaking deadline, risks creating massive overcapacity and undermining China's carbon neutrality goals.

• China saw a rapid acceleration of coal power activity in the first half of 2023, with construction starting on 37 GW of new capacity, 52 GW permitted, 41 GW announced, and 8 GW of shelved projects revived.
• The current permitting spree contradicts central government policies that mandate coal should only support grid stability and renewable energy integration; instead, most new projects are in provinces already possessing sufficient generating capacity or lacking the necessary wind and solar buildout to justify new coal.
• China's coal power pipeline is expanding rapidly, with 243 GW currently permitted or under construction, potentially rising to 392 GW if announced projects are included. This could increase coal power capacity by 23% to 33% from 2022 levels.
• The surge in coal development is partly driven by a 'climbing to the peak' mentality, where officials and executives view the period before the 2030 CO2 peaking pledge as a window to add carbon-intensive capacity.
• There is a growing redundancy in the power system as western provinces (like Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi) build coal capacity for export, while eastern provinces (like Guangdong and Shandong) build their own coal plants to reduce reliance on imports.
• Guangdong province has specifically backpedaled on clean energy goals, reducing the planned proportion of non-fossil energy in its 2023–25 energy development plan and advising the suspension of some solar and onshore wind projects.
• The role of project developers has shifted, with central government-controlled firms now responsible for 45% of newly permitted projects in the first half of 2023, compared to a previous reliance on provincial state-owned enterprises.

APA

Global Energy Monitor (2023). China’s new coal power spree continues as more provinces jump on the bandwagon. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/CREA_GEM_China-coal-power-briefing-2023H1_08.2023_11.pdf

Chicago

Global Energy Monitor. China’s new coal power spree continues as more provinces jump on the bandwagon. 2023. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/CREA_GEM_China-coal-power-briefing-2023H1_08.2023_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=China’s new coal power spree continues as more provinces jump on the bandwagon |date=August 2023 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/CREA_GEM_China-coal-power-briefing-2023H1_08.2023_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalenergymonitor2023chinas, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{China’s new coal power spree continues as more provinces jump on the bandwagon}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2023}, month = aug, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/CREA_GEM_China-coal-power-briefing-2023H1_08.2023_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }