Beijing to replace coal fired generation with gas

• 10 years ago (2013-10-07)
• David Flin

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Chinese authorities are to build four new natural gas plants by the end of 2014 to replace coal-fired power generation in Beijing, according to recent reports.

The new plants are part of the Chinese capital’s efforts to diversify its energy supply and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as smog, according officials from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform.

With an investment of 47.7 billion yuan ($7.79 billion), the four new plants and forty smaller utility projects are expected to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by 10 000 tonnes, provide heating for 100 million square meters and generate 72 000 MWh of gas-fired generation.

The four coal-fired power plants currently providing these services are to be shut down once the new generation comes online, saving the 9.2 million tonnes of coal burned by them in 2012, 40 per cent of Beijing’s total consumption that year.

Smog is an increasing concern for Beijing residents and the authorities alike in the Chinese capital, and with coal burning accounting for 16.7 per cent of sub 2.5 micron particles blamed for the smog, replacing coal-fired generation with gas will be a popular move.

In a recent action plan on cleaning up Beijing's air quality municipal authorities vowed to slash coal consumption by 1.3 million tonnes by 2017.