China is set to add new coal-fired power plants equivalent to the EU’s entire capacity, as the world’s biggest energy consumer ignores global pressure to rein in carbon emissions in its bid to boost a slowing economy.
Across the country, 148GW of coal-fired plants are either being built or are about to begin construction, according to a report from Global Energy Monitor, a non-profit group that monitors coal stations. The current capacity of the entire EU coal fleet is 149GW.
While the rest of the world has been largely reducing coal-powered capacity over the past two years, China is building so much coal power that it more than offsets the decline elsewhere.
Ted Nace, head of Global Energy Monitor, said the new coal plants would have a significant impact on China’s already-increasing carbon emissions.
“What is being built in China is single-handedly turning what would be the beginning of the decline of coal, into the continued growth of coal,” he said, adding that China was “swamping” global progress in bringing down emissions.
Concerns over air pollution and over-investment in coal prompted China to suspend the construction of hundreds of coal stations in 2016.
But many have since been restarted, as Beijing seeks to stimulate an economy growing at its slowest pace since the early 1990s.
Read more at FT
Whether it’s domestic construction or associated with the “Belt & Road Initiative,” China is going to continue to build HUNDREDS of coal fired power plants in the coming decade(s). They have no tangible emissions reductions committed to the Paris Accord prior to 2030. Currently, China produces 28% of global CO2 emissions. In addition, you can be most assured their emissions technologies do not compare to western environmental standards on ANY coal generation station they design & build. Thus, all this “babble” about the U.S & EU going to ZERO GHG emissions by 2050 grows ever more ludicrous. Icing on the cake? India, Indonesia & others are going to continue to construct coal plants as they provide affordable electricity & industrial heat to grow their economies and lift millions of their citizens out of abject poverty. INSTEAD of the ongoing VILIFICATION of U.S energy providers, why don’t the environmental NGO’s (i.e. Sierra Club, WildEarth Guardians, et al) take their show “on the road” to Bejing where the biggest polluter keeps on keepin’ on? I’m sure the Chinese government will be both receptive & hospitable…NOT!
Hey Greenpeace are going over to China and block their coal shipments with your Fossil Fueled ships and launch your Zodiacs?
Trudeau can load up his two planes with a few of his costumes and pollute his way to India to demand they shut down their economies because he finds it offensive. His advance teams from the second plane should be able to find him somewhere to surf.