China Approves Over 50 Gigawatts of New Coal Power

China has approved more than 50 gigawatts of new coal power in the first half of 2023, according to environmental group Greenpeace. This comes as the country seeks to counter the effects of drought on hydropower production. China’s coal output rose by 9% to reach 4.5 billion tons last year, making it responsible for over half of the world’s total coal production. The country expects coal production to continue increasing this year to offset a 22.9% decline in hydropower generation.

China is not the only country grappling with a hydropower crisis. Europe, North America, and Asia have all seen dramatic declines in electricity generation from hydro sources due to climate change. This has led to an increase in the use of other sources of power, such as coal and natural gas, to meet electricity demand. The United States and Mexico have been particularly affected, with a significant decrease in hydropower generation.

The global energy crisis caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine has further exacerbated the reliance on coal in Europe. Many countries, including Germany, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, and Greece, have restarted coal power plants to address the energy supply disruptions. Coal, being a dispatchable and affordable power source, has become the primary option in these regions.

The energy crisis has prompted countries to rethink their energy strategies. The UK has lifted a moratorium on shale gas fracking to boost domestic energy resources and alleviate the burden of high energy bills. Japan has also made a major U-turn in its energy policy by promoting the use of nuclear energy, ending an 11-year phase-out triggered by the Fukushima disaster.

Despite China’s massive investments in clean energy, its continued approval of new coal power plants raises concerns about its contributions to global pollution. China has stated that it plans to continue growing its coal power capacity at a “reasonable pace” until 2030. As the world’s biggest polluter, China’s reliance on coal poses a significant challenge to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.