中文
China's coal-based power sector is expected to peak its carbon emissions at 3.85 billion tonnes around 2026, said a Chinese research team on studying how to rein in coal consumption for power generation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).
The coal-based power industry should significantly reduce the growth of carbon emissions by 2024, and reach the peak by 2026, and realize net-zero emissions by 2045, under the scenario of controlling coal-fired installed capacity at around 1,100 GW by 2025, said Yuan Jiahai, professor of North China Electric Power University who led the study.
To realize the target of controlling the rise of global average temperature within 2°C from the pre-industrial level by the end of this century proposed by the Paris Agreement, China's coal-based power industry needs to set an upper limit for its emissions at 3.85 billion tonnes in 2025, Yuan said.
The study expected China's annual average growth of power generation at 4-5% during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, suggesting the country's power consumption would hit 9,200-9,600 TWh by 2025.
By 2025, the study advised, the country should rein in its coal fleet below 1,100 GW and at the same time keep efforts on the development of renewables.
"In the future, the policy of coal-to-renewable switch should be implemented, under which the increase in electricity consumption should be met by non-fossil energy sources," Yuan said.
The study showed the proportion of coal-based installed capacity dropped below 50% in the past five years, the first time in history, thanks to continued supply-side structural reform in the sector.
During the 13th Five-Year Plan period over 2016-20, the sector saved 385 million tonnes of standard coal, thanks to implementation of measures including increased use of renewable energy and development of energy-saving technologies.
The study also proposed the country should further enhance the development of spot power trading market and carbon quota trading market, through which power companies are forced to improve their own control of carbon emissions.
Last year, China's President Xi Jinping declared at the World Leaders’ Climate Summit that China will 'aim to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
(Writing by Alex Guo Editing by Harry Huo)
For any questions, please contact us by inquiry@fwenergy.com or +86-351-7219322.
