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

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) analyzes a surge in coal power permitting and construction in China during the first half of 2023. The report finds that new projects are being approved at a pace of more than one plant per week, often ignoring central government policies that restrict new coal to a 'supporting' role for clean energy. The authors argue that this 'coal rush' is driven by a desire to maximize carbon-intensive capacity before the 2030 emissions peak, outdated grid management, and a shift away from fossil gas, potentially undermining China's long-term climate commitments.

• China experienced a significant acceleration in coal power activity in the first half of 2023. Between January and June, 37 GW of new capacity started construction, 52 GW was permitted (with 10 GW of that moving to construction), 41 GW of new projects were announced, and 8 GW of previously shelved projects were revived. This represents a pace of more than one coal power plant per week across these pipeline stages.
• The current permitting spree contradicts central government policies intended to limit new coal to a 'supporting' role for grid stability and renewable integration. Analysis shows that 60% of newly permitted plants are in grid regions already facing coal-fired power overcapacity, and only about 16% (47 out of 216 units) are located where planned wind and solar capacity exceeds coal capacity.
• China's coal power pipeline has grown substantially, with 243 GW currently permitted or under construction, rising to 392 GW if announced or pre-permit projects are included. This could increase coal power capacity by 23% to 33% from 2022 levels, which may lead to either a surge in emissions or significant financial losses due to low plant utilization and asset stranding.
• 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. This is further supported by a shift in project leadership, with central government-controlled firms responsible for 45% of newly permitted projects in the first half of 2023.
• There is a growing redundancy in China's power strategy: western provinces like Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi are building coal capacity to export power east, while eastern provinces like Guangdong and Shandong are building their own coal plants to reduce reliance on imports. For example, Guangdong revised its energy plan in May 2023 to aim for 13 GW of new coal power by 2025, while simultaneously advising the suspension of some solar and onshore wind projects.
• The report identifies a policy reversal regarding fossil gas. While previous plans promoted replacing coal with gas, the 2023 development plan from the National Development and Reform Council strongly discourages shifting industry or heating from coal to gas, citing energy security concerns following global price spikes in 2021.

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} }