Construction of thermal power plants to be stopped in China
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
In China, the government decided to temporarily stop the construction of new coal-fired power plants. In addition, the construction of a part of the thermal power stations that have already received permission for construction will be stopped. Preliminarily, the ban will last until 2018, but it is quite possible that the authorities will decide to extend it. Such measures became a necessity, since the country has a fairly high level of pollution.
In China, the maximum permissible levels of harmful emissions into the atmosphere have been exceeded, air quality is extremely poor, which is why thousands of people die every day throughout the country. Chinese authorities presented their intention to improve the environmental situation in the country in the form of directives. Earlier, the authorities decided to close thousands of coal mines in the country, which was officially announced, and the decision to temporarily stop the construction of new thermal power plants, is the next step to improve the environmental situation. The new resolution will affect 200 thermal power plants, including those that are at the stage of obtaining permission for construction, and those that have already approved, but have not yet begun to build.
The coal-fired power plants that were planned to be constructed could produce more than 100 gigawatts of power each year. To date, China consumes more than 5 billion tons of coal (more than in any other country).
More recently, the authorities intended to increase the production of coal energy, but after the meeting in Paris, officials decided to change the strategy. Representatives from 170 countries took part in the meeting in France, which in the results of the discussions signed an agreement on reducing the amount of harmful emissions to the atmosphere and switching to renewable energy. At the meeting, Chinese representatives said that in four years the country would refuse to use coal.
Undoubtedly, China today is the largest source of harmful emissions, and it is expected that in 15 years the level of emissions in the country will reach its peak.
The construction of new thermal power plants near major cities was suspended as a result of restrictions and the economic crisis, as a result, wind and solar energy received more investment, which in turn affected the reduction of coal consumption throughout the country. But according to Greenpeace, Mr. Milivirt, despite the fact that coal has lost its popularity in China, large energy companies continue to design and build coal-fired power plants, at an accelerated pace. Milivirt also noted that all the decisions taken by the authorities did not concern the power stations, the construction of which had already started. According to some reports, the new power plants will produce about 200 gigawatts of power.
The refusal to build new coal-fired power plants is undoubtedly a positive step, however, this is not enough to significantly influence the current situation in the country, which is getting worse day by day.