Claim: Chinese Coal Plant Construction is “Undermining” their Renewable Transition

[rangerrebew]

New Coal Plants in China. Source Centre for Research on Clean Energy and Air, Press Release
 
Claim: Chinese Coal Plant Construction is “Undermining” their Renewable Transition
2 hours ago Eric Worrall 
 

“…In 2024, coal power construction activity surged to 94.5 GW, its highest level since 2015, reinforcing coal’s entrenched role in the power system. …”

PRESS RELEASE

China’s coal power expansion undermines clean energy progress

BEIJING, 13 February 2025 – Even as China’s renewables skyrocketed in 2024, with solar and wind surging month after month throughout the year, the country remains embroiled in coal, leaning on the dirty fuel to meet high energy demands.

China’s continued coal power expansion is undermining the country’s clean energy progress, according to a new report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and Global Energy Monitor. In 2024, coal power construction activity surged to 94.5 GW, its highest level since 2015, reinforcing coal’s entrenched role in the power system. Meanwhile, the country approved 66.7 GW of new coal-fired power capacity, with approvals picking up in the second half after a slower start to the year.

While China is leading the world in renewable energy deployment—adding a record 356 GW of wind and solar capacity in 2024—the simultaneous expansion of coal power raises critical concerns about its ability to transition away from fossil fuels. Instead of replacing coal, clean energy is being layered on top of an existing fossil-fuel-heavy system, making it increasingly difficult to achieve the intended shift toward a renewables-driven power sector.

Despite the slow-down in previous years and early 2024, the coal power permit rebound in the second half of 2024, was not insignificant and contradicts policy commitments to curb coal consumption. The uptick in coal power permits threatens to lock in fossil fuel reliance at a time when China’s power system needs greater flexibility to integrate renewables.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/02/14/claim-chinese-coal-plant-construction-is-undermining-their-renewable-transition/

[rangerrebew]

I'm guessing this has been China's plan all along, get western nations to buy into "renewable" energy while they appear to be doing the same but are expanding coal use.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

There has been no 'Renewable Transition' in China.

It is shell game and the Western world has fallen for it for decades

[The_Reader_David]

There has been no 'Renewable Transition' in China.

Exactly.  Simultaneously building coal fired plants and solar and wind farms and nuclear plants isn't a "renewable transition", it's expanding and diversifying their energy production, what we should be doing as well.