China’s energy mix, according to the China Electricity Council (CEC), is expected to increase its electricity production by 6-7% in 2021. Despite the health crisis, China wants to develop 140 GW of renewable energy in 2021. The stated objective: carbon neutrality by 2060.
China’s energy mix: 6-7% more electricity in 2021
China’s energy mix can meet the demand of the world’s most populous country. In fact, demand is high and power cuts are regular. China is therefore seeking to improve its network with new power plants.
In this sense, despite the repercussions of the health crisis, Chinese electricity production will not decline in 2021. On the contrary, the CEC states that China will use 6-7% more electricity in 2021 to reach 2370 GW (+7.7%).
140 GW of additional renewable energy in 2021
Xi Jinping hopes to add 1200 GW of solar and wind capacity by 2030. By 2021, the government wants to install an additional 140 GW to the renewable mix. It would thus reach 1120 GW, or 47.3% of the global energy mix.
The CEC thus keeps in mind the promises of the Chinese head of state to reduce the share of coal in the energy mix.
A vital coal
On the other hand, the CEC also advises the government, for the time being, to accentuate the import quota policy and to lower the customs restrictions on fuel. The objective is to secure the national coal reserves.
But reducing its share of the mix over time
In this sense, in the 13th Five Year Plan (2016-2020), China hopes to reduce its share of coal in the energy mix to 42% by 2028.
The Chinese President is pursuing an active global policy against global warming. It wants to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. But the country is still very dependent on coal.