AlwaysFree: China Considers Building Mega Power Complexes To Reduce Coal Use

Chinese policymakers are discussing a possibility to construct mega-complexes that generate power from coal, wind, and solar. Such facilities will also host batteries to store excess electricity. The National Energy Administration is compiling opinions on whether constructing plants which combine dirty and clean energies are viable.

China is the world’s biggest promoter of renewables and at the same time, its largest coal consumer. The project is seen by many as the country’s effort to cross-subsidy from fossil fuel profits to cleaner sources of energy. The cross-subsidy measures have been taken by the industry, including coal miners which expand solar and wind assets and utilities which increase spending on renewables.

The amount of coal that will be used in the planned plants is strictly controlled. This suggests that cola is not intended to be the primary fuel of the facilities. Instead, it would likely be used as a back-up to ensure uninterrupted power supply during wind and solar low periodic nature. The use of battery storage will also decrease the need for coal as well as drive battery costs lower.

China aims at increasing renewable energy generation to ease reliance on coal and cut greenhouse emissions. However, China’s plans are viewed to take a long time. Beijing has set a target to increase non-fossil fuel consumption to 20% of total energy demand by 2030, from about 15% in 2019. 

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