Part 1. The currently situation of clean energy generation in China

 

In the past ten years, China's energy consumption has increased with sustained and stable economic growth (Musa et al., 2018). As the world's largest coal producer and consumer, China's current power generation energy is based on coal, and other energy sources are developed together (Musa et al., 2018). As fossil energy will bring a series of adverse effects, such as the greenhouse effect, the Chinese government has been working hard to transform energy and vigorously develop clean energy (Guo, 2019). This blog is related to Sustainable Development Goal 7, Affordable, clean and modern Energy. It analyses and introduces the current state of clean energy development in China and compares it both horizontally and vertically with that of other countries worldwide.

Figure 1: The proportion of China’s power generation energy in 2020 Q1

Source: (Zheng, 2020)

Figure 1 shows the proportion of China's power generation energy in the first quarter of 2020. It can be seen from the figure that coal power generation accounts for 75.11%, which is a significant lead in other power generation methods. In fact, Conventional coal-fired thermal power has always been the absolute main force in China's power industry, which has a lot to do with China's energy resource endowment (Hui et al., 2013). Among the total proved energy resources in the country, coal accounts for close to 90%, which is a dominant position. Besides, hydropower resources account for slightly less than 10%, which represents 12.55% of the total generation. Moreover, oil, natural gas, and other resources account for a tiny proportion (CEC, 2013). Wind and nuclear power, promoted by the Chinese government in recent years, have contributed 7.35 percent and 4.98 percent respectively to the supply of electricity.

Figure 2: China’s clean energy production from 2008 to 2017

Source: (Guo, 2019)

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of China's total hydropower, wind power, and nuclear power production from 2008 to 2017. It is not difficult to find that China's entire clean energy power generation has maintained a steady rise. Thus, it can be seen that China's energy transition for sustainable development goals has achieved initial results, and the proportion of clean energy has grown steadily.

China has set up related energy and environmental protection institutions to support clean energy development to promote energy conservation and emission reduction and reduce ecological pressure while conserving energy. In addition, the state has adopted a series of preferential policies such as taxes and prices to optimize the structure and layout of the energy industry (Zhang et al., 2017). Furthermore, with policy backing, state-owned businesses such as Datang International and State Grid have aggressively produced and exploited renewable and low-carbon energy like solar, wind, and natural gas to progressively reduce fossil fuel reliance (Zhang et al., 2017).

Not only that, but China is also developing clean energy-related cooperation with other countries. As of 2019, China has invested more than one billion pounds in offshore wind power projects in the UK (Tu et al., 2021). At the same time, the two countries are also preparing to launch a prosperity fund focusing on energy and a low-carbon economy. The fund will provide 18 million pounds within three years to support China's low-carbon economy. 

In summary, although China still uses coal as its primary energy source, the future energy transition has already begun with the support of policies. However, can the current generation of clean energy meet China's colossal power demand? Moreover, what changes have taken place in the cost of residential clean energy and electricity? The next part will focus on these two contents. 

Like to know more? Watch the video below:  

-Yu Wang

11, October, 2021

Reference

CEC. (2013). Statistics on the number of national power industries in 2013. [online] China Electricity Council.

Available at: https://www.cec.org.cn/ (Accessed on 7th Oct 2020)

Guo, T. (2019). Thoughts on the Situation and Development Path of Clean Energy in China. Chinese Academy of Natural Resources Economics, pp.39-42.

Hui, J., Jingzhu, Z., Xiaoli, Z. and Chunyang, F. (2013). Quantitative analysis of environmental externalities of China's thermal power industry. Electric Power, 7 (46), pp. 126-132. 

Musa, S. D., Zhonghua, T., Ibrahim, A. O., & Habib, M. (2018). China's energy status: A critical look at fossils and renewable options. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 81, 2281-2290. 

Tu, Q., Mo, J., Liu, Z., Gong, C., & Fan, Y. (2021). Using green finance to counteract the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic on renewable energy investment-The case of offshore wind power in China. Energy Policy, 158, 112542.

Zhang, Z., Zhao, Y., Su, B., Zhang, Y., Wang, S., Liu, Y., & Li, H. (2017). Embodied carbon in China's foreign trade: An online SCI-E and SSCI based literature review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 68, pp.492-510.

Zheng, X. (2020). China Energy Big Data Report (2020)-Electricity (2). [online] Polaris Wind Power Network.

Available at: https://news.bjx.com.cn/html/20200612/1080647-2.shtml (Accessed on 7th Oct 2020)