Coal power in China

China is the largest producer and consumer of coal in the world and is the largest user of coal-derived electricity, generating an estimated 73% of domestic electricity production in 2014 from coal.

Coal production and consumption has been falling since 2013. As a share of the source of electricity generation, coal is projected by the Energy Information Administration to decline steadily falling to 45% in 2040.

Since 2016, central authorities have zealously ordered a stop to the growth of coal power plants despite the resistance of local authorities mindful of the need to create jobs. The National Energy Administration issued a directive in April 2016 curbing construction of new coal fired plants throughout the country. This was followed up in January 2017 by the NEA with the cancellation of a further 103 coal power plants, eliminating 120 gigawatts of future coal-fired capacity.

As of the end of 2014, China had 62 billion tons of anthracite and 52 billion tons of lignite quality coal. China ranks third in the world in terms of total coal reserves behind the United States and Russia. Most coal reserves are located in the north and north-west of the country, which poses a large logistical problem for supplying electricity to the more heavily populated coastal areas. At current levels of production, China has 30 years worth of reserves. However, others suggest that China has enough coal to sustain its economic growth for a century or more.

China is the largest coal producer in the world, but as of 2015 falling coal prices resulted in layoffs at coal mines in the northeast.

Coal is the main source of energy in China. In 2011 the Chinese coal production was equivalent to 3,576 Mt × 0.522 toe/t × 11.630 MWh/toe = 21,709 TWh. Assuming the same caloric value for the imported coal the net coal energy available would be evaluated as 22,784 TWh. Assuming imported coal equal to domestic one, available coal (IEA) was about 17,000 TWh in 2008 and 22,800 TWh in 2011, with increase of 5,800 TWh in three years. Total renewable energy in China was 3,027 TWh in 2008 and 2,761 TWh in 2005, with increase of 266 TWh in three years. Same period from 2005 to 2008 annual coal use increased 3,341 TWh.

Energy demand in China continues to increase, with electric demand roughly doubled to 2013, The demand for coal in China had increased so fast, demand had exceed production due to factors such as a government crackdown on mines that are unsafe, polluting, or wasteful. Some were shut down for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

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