China Approves Record Number Of Coal-Fired Power Stations

In 2022, Beijing approved the construction of two new coal-fired power stations per week for a total capacity of 106 gigawatts.

China approved the construction of 106 gigawatts of coal-fired power station capacity in 2022, the highest amount since 2015 – a rate of two new power stations every week.

The new capacity had slowed in recent years following a peak in 2015 when provincial governments gained the authority to permit new projects.

The sudden rise in 2022 is designed to ensure the stability of the power grid – China suffered a wave of blackouts in September 2021 due to coal supply shortages, and a prolonged drought last summer saw a dramatic drop in hydroelectric power generation.

Beijing is trying to rejuvenate its economy after growth stagnated due to its stringent “Zero-Covid” policy, raising concerns that its low-carbon efforts will be marginalized.