The world, with more than 2,400 coal-fired power plants in 79 countries – with a capacity of about 2,100 gigawatts (GW) – plans to add another 457 GW of power through new power generation projects. The Global Energy Monitor’s annual report, released Tuesday, outlines plans for the construction or extension of coal – fired power plants in 34 different countries, particularly China.
“Today only 170 plants (89 GW) or 5% of the fleet are operational and have not been affected by a phase-out date or carbon neutrality objective,” said the San Francisco-based think tank. Along with eight other international environmental organizations: Sierra Club in the US, Kiko in Japan, Kane Europe in Europe, Life in India, BWGED in Bangladesh, as well as Kriya, E3G and SFOC.
By 2021, the fleet of coal-fired power plants in operation worldwide will have increased by a further 18.2 gigawatts, which is a Govt-related regeneration, the report said. The authors point out that China “continues to be the obvious exception to the current decline of developing power plants.”
More than half (56%) of the 45 GW production units launched last year were in China (25.2 GW), 14% in India and 11% in Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. And, alone, China has almost several opening projects (total capacity of 25.2 gigawatts) and plans to close the rest of the planet (25.6 gigawatts). The report condemns the “resumption of building permits” for coal-fired power plants in China in early 2022, which was implemented by “rewriting the country’s energy policy,” which led to power shortages and rations to more than half of the provinces by the end of 2021.
To read: China will increase its coal use
Launched a dynamic in Glasgow
In other parts of the world, UN Secretary – General Antonio Guterres’ call for a halt to the construction of new coal – fired power plants to control global warming has “created a sense of urgency” at the COP26 UN Climate Conference in Glasgow. In total, 65 countries have pledged to halt construction, 36 more than in January 2021.
Within the OECD, 86% of countries currently have no new coal projects in place. Nevertheless, six countries are systematically considering new projects: the United States, Australia, Poland, Mexico, Japan and Turkey, although many of them are “unlikely to see daylight”, according to the authors.
read more: In Glasgow, Antonio Guterres “promises to be white” without leaving fossil fuels
For example, when Donald Trump was president, the plan he supported in the United States was “impossible” to “end.” The report also notes that the planned 500 MW Polish plant in Lesna should not be built “on the basis of European climate policy”.
In Africa, at the next International Climate Conference (COP 27 scheduled for Egypt), twelve countries still have coal-related projects, with three less by 2021 (C டிte d’Ivoire, Morocco and Djibouti).
Questions about agreements already signed by Beijing
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pledge at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021 that he will not fund the construction of coal-fired power plants outside China, “makes many African projects obsolete”, and that China is the main sponsor of new projects. Plants on this continent.
March 28, 2019 Article: With the exception of China, the number of coal-fired power plants is declining
But the authors are concerned about Beijing’s implementation of agreements already signed: “To date, it is unclear whether China will cut the rope for the 56 power plants it plans to finance its public sector banks and private companies.
“Avid gamer. Social media geek. Proud troublemaker. Thinker. Travel fan. Problem solver.”