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https://theconversation.com/matter-of-national-destiny-chinas-energy-crisis-sees-the-worlds-top-emitter-investing-in-more-coal-189142>
"Two months of scorching heatwaves and drought plunged China into an energy
security crisis.
The southwest province of Sichuan, for example, relies on dams to generate
around 80% of its electricity, with growth in hydropower crucial for China
meeting its net-zero by 2060 emissions target.
Sichuan suffered from power shortages after low rainfall and extreme
temperatures over 40℃ dried up rivers and reservoirs. Heavy rainfall this week,
however, has just seen power in Sichuan for commercial and industrial use fully
restored, according to official Chinese media.
The energy crisis has seen Beijing shift its political discourse and proclaim
energy security as a more urgent national mission than the green energy
transition. Now, the government is investing in a new wave of coal-fired power
stations to try to meet demand.
In the first quarter of 2022 alone, China approved 8.63 gigawatts of new coal
plants and, in May, announced C¥ 10 billion (A$2.1 billion) of investment in
coal power generation. What’s more, it will expand the capacity of a number of
coal mines to ensure domestic supply as the international coal market price
jumped amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
China is responsible for around a third of global carbon dioxide emissions,
which makes this latest rebound to fossil fuels a climate change emergency."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
