Inspenet, July 26, 2023.
Hydroelectric generation in China plummeted 23% in the first half of 2023.
The increase in demand for electricity in China has led to a greater reliance on coal, as the production of electricity from water has decreased considerably.
Despite being one of the few countries with major economies that continue to approve and build coal power plants, China has increased its production and imports in the first half of the year to support its growing economy and ensure stable energy supply.
Although it has achieved its goal of having more installed electrical capacity with non-fossil sources, it still depends on the fossil fuel to compensate for the reduction in hydroelectric generation due to the lack of rain and drought, since the same fell 23% in the first half of 2023, the largest decline in eight years, despite adding 24 GW of capacity in 2022.
Drought leads to coal production and supply in China
Due to the decline in hydropower generation, China has seen a notable increase in coal production and imports this year. The reserves of this element in power plants have reached historical levels, which provides a solid base to guarantee the supply of energy during the summer.
The 4.4% increase in its production in the first half of 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year, reflects the importance given to the aforementioned fuel as an energy source.
Chinese authorities are optimistic about the country’s ability to weather the summer without power rationing or factory closures, thanks to increased coal production and supplies.
New coal plants: a step back on the path of renewable energy
Despite the fact that the construction of new coal plants has stopped in both the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union (EU) since 2019, China has seen an unprecedented increase in the concession of permits for new plants in the second half of 2022.
Climate change think tank E3G has noted that this rapid prioritization of new plants in China goes against the global trend of moving away from this resource.
China’s expansion of coal use, despite its commitment to renewable energy, could jeopardize the goal of keeping global temperature rise to 1.5°C, as set out in the Paris Agreement.
Prioritizing the security of energy supply above all other considerations, China will continue to rely on coal for years to come, despite its massive expansion in solar and wind capacity.
As the world’s second largest economy, it is forced to rely on coal to meet its growing demand for electricity and ensure the stability of energy supply.
Source: https://israelnoticias.com/economia/china-recurre-al-carbon-ante-caida-de-energia-hidroelectrica/
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