China coal growth slows as electrification rises, Ember report says
Ember says coal generation stopped growing in 17 of 26 Chinese provinces and regions, while fossil fuel use is peaking in eight of 11 industrial sectors. The shift reflects more electrification amid the energy transition.
Coal generation has stopped growing in 17 out of 26 Chinese provinces and regions, according to a new report by energy think tank Ember. The report said fossil fuels are starting to plateau in China as renewables drive more power generation in a new phase of the country’s energy transition. Ember analysts said the decline is not a sign of deindustrialization, but of rising electrification, particularly in more demanding parts of the economy. They described China as “building while breaking” — dismantling old energy systems while building new ones.
The report also said fossil fuel use is reaching its peak in eight out of 11 industrial sectors, and that a peak in China’s fossil fuel demand weakens the assumption behind some global fossil fuel investment that demand will keep climbing. ”