The European Union’s ambassador to China has called on Beijing to halt the construction of coal-fired power plants, arguing that its rapid approval of new projects contradicts its environmental commitments.
Speaking at an EU-hosted event in Beijing, Jorge Toledo emphasized that while the war in Ukraine had highlighted the importance of energy security, the EU had managed to address this challenge without reverting to fossil fuels.
Toledo expressed concern over the sharp rise in China’s coal plant approvals in the latter half of last year.
In 2024, Beijing approved 66.7GW of new coal-fired power capacity, with most approvals granted in the final months of the year. One gigawatt is roughly equivalent to the output of a large coal power plant.
There has also been strong progress in constructing new coal power facilities. A report released last month by the Global Energy Monitor and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air revealed that China accounted for 93% of all global coal power construction starts in 2024.
Additionally, the report highlighted that long-term power purchase agreements, which impose minimum quotas for coal power purchased by local governments, were hindering the integration of renewable energy into the national grid.
Toledo argued that these trends were unnecessary, asserting that China could phase out coal while maintaining energy security.
Guohua Power Station (Photo: AP)
“Commentators outside China are increasingly puzzled at the continued containment of domestic renewable generation in future stranded coal assets,” he stated.
Experts note that China’s simultaneous expansion of renewable energy and continued construction of coal-fired power plants has created a paradox, where clean and dirty energy sources compete within the country’s economy.
China remains the global leader in renewable energy, with solar and wind power installations reaching record highs last year. Solar capacity surged by 45% to 887GW, while wind capacity grew by 18% to 521GW.
The country has pledged to peak its carbon emissions by 2030, and many experts believe it will meet this goal ahead of schedule.
Zhang Xiaoye, a scholar from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a co-chair of an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change working group, stated on Wednesday that China’s renewable energy output in 2024 was equivalent to the total electricity production of the United States.
He emphasized the importance of EU-China cooperation in achieving “blue skies and clean water.”
However, concerns persist over China’s commitment to coal, which Beijing considers a critical pillar of its economic and energy security. Environmental campaigners privately acknowledge that discussing coal phase-outs remains politically sensitive.
Official statements indicate that China has no immediate plans for full decarbonization.
A government report released on Wednesday, coinciding with the first day of China’s annual parliamentary session, affirmed that the country would “continue to increase coal production and supply capacity, and consolidate the basic supporting role of coal.”
