China reduces coal plant approvals after a recent surge

China significantly reduced approvals for new coal-fired power plants in the first half of 2024 following a surge in previous years that raised concerns about its climate commitments.

Ken Moritsugu reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

• Greenpeace East Asia found that only 14 new coal plants were approved in China in early 2024, down 80% from the same period last year.
• China’s coal dependence persists, despite leading in solar and wind power, to manage peak electricity demand.
• Recent government initiatives focus on integrating renewable energy into the grid and retrofitting coal plants with low-carbon technologies.

Key quote:

“We may now be seeing a turning point.”

— Gao Yuhe, project lead for Greenpeace East Asia

Why this matters:

China's reduced coal plant approvals signal a potential shift in its energy strategy, but its continued reliance on coal complicates global efforts to combat climate change.

Read more: Coal plants grow despite global push for cleaner energy