Coal: China runs its power plants to maximum

Since the beginning of the year, coal production has reached 2.56 billion tonnes, 11.5 % more than during the same period of 2021.

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It is a real vicious circle: to compensate for the energy shortage caused by a historical drought and scorching temperatures due to global warming, China puts coal in the spotlight, yet recognized as one of the main causes of said warming.

Since mid-June, the Yangtsé, which has its source on the Tibetan set and throws itself into the sea towards Shanghai after a race of more than 6,300 kilometers, has an exceptionally low speed. Result: the provinces it crosses, notably Sichuan, can no longer use its waters to produce electricity while extreme heat make the air conditioning essential and lead to peaks in electricity consumption. To compensate for the gap and reduce the power cuts, the authorities turn the coal power plants as much as possible.

The National Energy Administration recognized it on August 24. Now, its “main mission” is to “ensure the supply of more coal”, by authorizing the opening of new mines and ensuring “imports of imports”. While in July, the country produced 12 million tonnes of coal every day – compared to 10 million a year earlier – this administration wants to reach 12.5 million. Over the first seven months of the year, coal production reached 2.56 billion tonnes, 11.5 % more than during the same period of 2021. As for imports, they jumped 24 % in July (at 23.5 million tonnes) compared to the previous month.

Professionals are celebrating. In Guangxi, the International Coal Fair which is held in the fall in Yulin must push the walls. In 2021, 60,000 square meters hosted around 500 exhibitors. But this year, in front of the high number of requests, 100,000 square meters are planned, say the organizers.

The coal occupies an important place in the Chinese energy mix. 56 %of the electricity produced in the country emanates, far ahead of oil (20 %), gas (8 %), hydroelectricity (7 %), renewables (5 %) and nuclear (2 %) . The share of coal decreases in relative value but since electrical consumption increases, it progresses in absolute value.

Nevertheless, China having committed, by the voice of President Xi Jinping, to reduce its emissions of co 2 “before 2030” and reach carbon neutrality “before 2060”, coal seemed less and less in court in Beijing. “We will strictly limit the increase in coal consumption during the 14 e five-year plan (2021-2025) and reduce it during the 15 e plan (2026-2030 ) “, said Xi Jinping, in April 2021, at a summit organized by the American president, Joe Biden, on the climate.

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/Media reports.