A New Coal Boom in China

Between January 1 and June 15, 2020, China saw a significant increase in coal plant development, with 249.6 GW of capacity under development, a 21% increase over end-2019. This boom is driven by economic stimulus efforts to offset COVID-19 impacts and a relaxation of the central government's 'traffic light policy', despite an existing estimated 400 GW of excess coal-fired capacity. While some new plants are intended for long-distance transmission to the coast, the majority risk exacerbating the country's overcapacity crisis and hindering global climate targets.

• China experienced a surge in coal plant development in the first half of 2020, reaching 249.6 GW of capacity under development (comprising 97.8 GW under construction and 151.8 GW in planning), which represents a 21% increase compared to the 205.9 GW recorded at the end of 2019.
• Permitting for new coal capacity accelerated rapidly in early 2020; between January 1 and June 15, China permitted 17.0 GW of new capacity, exceeding the total permitted during both 2018 and 2019 combined (12.0 GW).
• The resurgence in coal development is attributed to economic stimulus goals to offset COVID-19 impacts, a race for market share, and the relaxation of the 'traffic light policy', which saw the number of regions allowed to permit new plants increase from three in 2016 to 19 in 2020.
• China is facing a severe coal power overcapacity crisis, with an estimated 400 GW of excess capacity. The average thermal power plant utilization rate fell to 49% in 2019, down from 60% in 2011.
• China's continued coal expansion contradicts global trends and IPCC targets, which state that coal power must decrease by 80% by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

APA

Global Energy Monitor (2020). A New Coal Boom in China. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-coal-plant-brief-June-2020Eng_11.pdf

Chicago

Global Energy Monitor. A New Coal Boom in China. 2020. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-coal-plant-brief-June-2020Eng_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=A New Coal Boom in China |date=June 2020 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-coal-plant-brief-June-2020Eng_11.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalenergymonitor2020new, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{A New Coal Boom in China}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-coal-plant-brief-June-2020Eng_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }