An action plan for the low-carbon transformation and construction of coal power (2024-2027), outlining a comprehensive strategy for reducing low-carbon emissions in China's coal power sector over the next few years, has recently been released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration.

"Achieving coal power carbon emissions comparable to those of natural gas power is crucial for reducing coal consumption and carbon emissions, promoting the clean and efficient utilization of coal, and contributing to achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals," said Liu Jizhen, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at the North China Electric Power University.

Setting phased targets

"China has developed a power system predominantly based on coal power," Liu said. According to Liu, by the end of 2023, China's coal power installed capacity was approximately 1.17 billion kilowatts, accounting for 40 percent of the national total; coal consumption for power generation made up about 60 percent of total coal consumption; and carbon emissions from coal power accounted for approximately 40 percent of the country's total emissions.

The action plan sets phased targets for reducing carbon emissions from coal power to levels comparable to natural gas power units. By 2025, all first-phased projects for the low-carbon transformation of coal power, incorporating various low-carbon power generation technologies, will be underway. These projects aim to reduce carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour by approximately 20 percent compared to the average emissions of similar coal power units in 2023.

By 2027, the goal is to reduce carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour by approximately 50 percent compared to the 2023 levels of similar coal power units, approaching the emission levels of natural gas power units.

In recent years, China has promoted efficient use of coal, developed renewable energy, and made positive strides in the green and low-carbon transformation of the energy sector.

"However, due to the intermittent and variable nature of renewable energy, coal power will continue to play a critical role in ensuring energy security for some time. Accelerating coal power's low-carbon transformation to meet the carbon emission standards of natural gas power units is vital for achieving green energy development and carbon neutrality goals," according to the NDRC.

Tech innovation to drive transformation

The action plan emphasizes technological innovation, urging cooperation among research institutes, industry associations, and key enterprises to develop critical low-carbon coal power technologies. These include biomass co-firing, green ammonia production, and efficient CO2 capture.

Zhang Lin, director of the planning and development department at the China Electricity Council, said continuous technological innovation is the main driver for reducing the construction and operation costs of low-carbon coal power projects, thereby promoting the clean and low-carbon transformation of coal power.

During the promotion of low-carbon coal power technologies, it is important to focus on pilot demonstrations. This will help to determine the construction and operational costs of various low-carbon technologies under different operational scenarios and evaluate the feasibility of these technologies, paving the way for a reliable and cost-effective low-carbon development path in the coal power industry, Liu said.