The Paradox of Gansu Province

Along the Hexi Corridor, a fertile region bordering the Gobi Desert in western China and nourished by the Yellow River, a vast landscape of wind turbines and solar farms stretches towards the horizon. Gansu Province has emerged as a key hub for renewable energy production in China.

However, this renewable energy expansion is occurring alongside a meaningful increase in coal-fired power generation. Just beyond the desert dunes, the Changle Power Plant is a prime example of this dual strategy.

Changle Power Plant: A Gigawatt-Scale Expansion

The Changle Power Plant, located in Gansu, has been steadily expanding its coal capacity. In October 2023, the plant announced the successful commercial operation of two additional 1-gigawatt coal-fired units, bringing its total capacity to 6 gigawatts. This is enough energy to power a small nation.

This makes Changle the largest coal-fired plant in Gansu province, demonstrating a continued investment in coal despite national climate goals.

Coal as a Stabilizing Force

china is pursuing a two-pronged energy strategy, utilizing coal-fired thermal power as a “safety net” and grid stabilizer for intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar.This approach aims to prevent power supply crises, such as the one experienced in 2021, where disruptions impacted various regions of the country.

Balancing Climate Goals with Energy security

This trend is not isolated to gansu. Similar developments are occurring across China, even as the country strives to achieve its enterprising climate targets of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. The continued reliance on coal highlights the complexities of transitioning to a fully renewable energy system while maintaining energy security.