GEM’s prospective data shows China will reach its 2030 goal of renewable capacity accounting for 50% by the end of 2026. But west-to-east power transmission target is not enough to transmit this much renewables. Curtailment will remain.

Global Energy Monitor@globalenergymon.bsky.social · 2w ago

NEW REPORT | China is building more wind & solar than the rest of the world combined, w/500+ GW under construction. But severe grid bottlenecks & coal reliance threaten this boom. Can 🇨🇳 pass its "coal test"? 🔗 https://globalenergymonitor.org/research/chinas-wind-and-solar-megabases-face-coal-test

In newly issued Energy Saving & Carbon reduction Plan, china signaled to “reasonably control” coal power capacity growth. Evenly significant, it suggested resolutely curbing “unreasonable” growth of energy consumption. Most likely it is to curb power- intensive industries. This is a good news.

China has outlined plans to “reasonably control” the scale of coal power plants, after a persistent surge in the past few years. It jointly issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the State Council, carrying political weight for government officials at all levels.

中共中央办公厅 国务院办公厅印发《碳达峰碳中和综合评价考核办法》

mp.weixin.qq.com

If the Energy Information Agency can do this, the open-data non-governmental-organizations can do it and will do it the best. Right? @globalenergymon.bsky.social

Elizabeth Warren@warren.senate.gov · 4mo ago

We need to know how much energy data centers use – and if YOU are subsidizing the costs of Big Tech companies. Making this data public is the bare minimum.

I’m thinking of those several dozens GM new gas plants relying on imported LNG in China’s coastal areas built after 2022 Russia-Ukraine war energy crisis. Are they foreseeing this to come? Did they think such crisis would not happen again? Are they too naively optimistic or simply too greedy?

John Hanger@jrfhanger.bsky.social · 5mo ago

"...fallout from the Iran war is equivalent to the two major oil crises of the 1970s and the 2022 gas crisis “put together.” Wow! 2026-2027 will feature accelerating global energy transition to non-fossil fuel generation, EVs, heat pumps, electrification. www.cnbc.com/2026/03/23/i... #energysky

"...fallout from the Iran war is equivalent to the two major oil crises of the 1970s and the 2022 gas crisis “put together.” Wow! 2026-2027 will feature accelerating global energy transition to non-fossil fuel generation, EVs, heat pumps, electrification. www.cnbc.com/2026/03/23/i... #energysky

More than 40 Middle East energy assets ‘severely damaged,’ IEA chief says

The IEA’s Fatih Birol warned that damage to energy infrastructure across the Middle East would take some time to repair.

cnbc.com

China’s LNG imports declined significantly in 2025 due to higher spot prices. The US/Israel-Iran war pushed the price going higher and also physically blocked the logistics flow. LNG does not make sense on both energy security and economy for China, especially when renewables grow so fast.

4年前国家电网宣布将要在十四五期间投资3800亿元建设24交14直特高压线路。如今十四五已经过去，成绩如何？根据GEM的统计，国家电网十四五期间投资特高压3081亿元，建成了8交8直特高压线路。其中用于可再生能源传输的直流特高压只有3条，全部在十四五的最后一年2025年投产。不论从投产总量还是对可再生能源支持力度上看，都没有完成目标。最近又有消息称国家电网计划在十五五期间建设15条直流特高压以支持可再生能源外送。可问题是，到2030年西北地区风光大基地将要投产4.55亿千瓦，外送3.15亿。以现有一条线年传输180亿度电算，需要至少21条线才行。国家电网甚至在规划阶段就已经注定要完不成任务了。

bsky.app/profile/pete...

Peter Bosshard@peterbosshard.bsky.social · 5mo ago

The sun won’t always shine and the wind won’t always blow, they said. Well guess what: #LNG doesn’t always flow. And while the wind will blow again tomorrow and its power can be stored in batteries, the same isn’t true for LNG. www.politico.eu/article/worl...

1/4 century ago, the coal industry warned that the Internet would overwhelm the grid without massive new coal capacity. Today, Gas and nuclear vendors that can’t beat energy efficiency and renewables in competitive markets are leveraging hype into mandates and subsidies to rescue their losers.

AI: Does not compute

Building fossil-fuel infrastructure to power data centers is a poor bet. Renewables are by far the cheaper, faster choice.

canarymedia.com

In his first term, Trump tried to promote new coal plant but it didn’t work. This time he changed tactics for the same goal. A dirty, outdated and dying industry doesn’t deserve taxpayers money.

Trump to direct Pentagon to buy coal to revive industry, Bloomberg News says

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to direct the Pentagon to use government funding and Pentagon contracts to sustain U.S. coal-fired power plants, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing a White H...

reuters.com

China’s known as a renewable leader, less known it’s a coal giant, even less known it’s world No.2 gas power developer, even though gas only generates 4% of total power. GEM’s new data shows the US surpassed China in new proposals in 2025. A race to the bottom continues.

Today's @carbonbrief.org explainer on gas in China featured @aiqun.bsky.social: "With the rapid expansion of renewables and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, I don’t foresee a bright future for gas power.” 🔌 www.carbonbrief.org/explainer-wh...

Explainer: Why gas plays a minimal role in China’s climate strategy - Carbon Brief

While gas could play a role in decarbonising some aspects of China’s energy demand, multiple factors would need to change

carbonbrief.org

It’s heartbreaking to see this picture of the fire in Hong Kong. The fatality is over 80 and still growing. The cause was reportedly the bamboo-made scaffolding. When I was visiting Hong Kong this spring I was amused by these scaffolding, kidding to a friend “I hope they don’t catch fire “. 一语成谶！

Unlike in many rankings in which Switzerland is mostly among top 3 or 5, in the ranking of tackling Climate Change, however, Switzerland is only seated in No. 26. What is dragging it down?

Peter Bosshard@peterbosshard.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Switzerland ranks a modest #26 on the new Climate Change Performance Index, behind the EU, Morocco, Pakistan, Nigeria or India. Among other things, "the experts criticize the absence of rules for the financial sector, to stop financing and insuring fossil fuel production and expansion." ccpi.org

Source:Forbes.The green premium is dead. China killed it with low-cost solar, wind and batteries, affordable EVs and dominance in critical minerals. Unless North Americans and Europeans wake up to this reality, their citizens will pay a hefty fossil premium with economic and political consequences.

First 3 quarters China reported 2% increase in coal production, 1.7% crude oil production, 2.6%oil imports and 6% gas production. The only decrease is gas imports (6.2%). I wonder how CO2 emissions can flat while fossil fuels burning more.

Analysis: China’s CO2 emissions have now been flat or falling for 18 months - Carbon Brief

China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were unchanged from a year earlier in the third quarter of 2025, extending a flat or falling trend that started in March 2024.

carbonbrief.org

@mzjacobson.bsky.social Stanford University Professor of Civil and Environmental engineering explains how Carbon Capture and Storage INCREASES emissions www.youtube.com/shorts/GvFir...

Why Carbon Capture and Direct Air Capture Increases CO2 and Air Pollution and Should be Abandoned

YouTube video by Mark Z. Jacobson

youtube.com

dialogue.earth/en/digest/ch... railway line in China is now powered by solar power, so that it can transport coal sustainably. Similarly, Carbon capture technology is used to help digging more fossil oil. They reminds me my hometown once green painted a barren hill to pass “green city “ inspection.

China launches its first railway project integrating renewable energy

The 303-kilometre-long route is part of a freight line for very heavy cargo and is powered by a combination of grid electricity and solar energy

dialogue.earth

share.google/oAwozSiuhtLQ... A note: The policy issued by China’s central government in the end of last year which only allows wind turbines installed 30 km offshore or in 30 meters deep water is a key factor behind these technology innovations withstanding typhoons.

The 'typhoon-proof' wind farms powering China's coast

China is racing to develop a new generation of wind farms that can not only survive tropical cyclones, but also harness their power.

share.google

The August referendum rejected the revival of nuclear power in Taiwan, leaving an open question: What will Taiwan do next? My Taipei-based colleague Cheng Cheng and I try to answer this question—https://energytracker.asia/after-nuclear-renewables-can-power-an-energy-secure-taiwan/

After Nuclear, Renewables Can Power an Energy-secure Taiwan

After last month's defeat of a proposal to revive the country’s last nuclear power plant, Taiwan now has to decide its future energy mix.

energytracker.asia

In early 2000s, Dr. Goodall visited Beijing and I got a chance interviewed her. She started with mimicking a chimpanzee greeting. It was so loud and unexpected that I couldn’t believe it was from a quiet and amiable lady in her late 60s. Today that powerful greeting resonates again. RIP Dr. Goodall.

President Xi ‘s UN speech & NDC includes 3 numbers by 2035: 7-10%Carbon reduction; 6 folds renewable installations and 30% non fossil fuels energy consumption. 2&3 are easier than the first because China is good at doing additions, not subtractions.

So, EU is not able to buy $250 billion of US fossil fuels, and US is not able to sell that much either. But they signed an agreement anyway. Is this a joke? Are they making a muddy pie like two kids?

Dave Jones@cleanpowerdave.bsky.social · last yr.

this is really worth a read... www.reuters.com/business/ene...

GEM grew from a bold idea to a near 90 staff nonprofit isn’t only by chance or luck. It’s the sophisticated strategy Ted crafted laid foundation for it. Ted’s legacy will be carried on. Wish GEM go higher and further under new leadership of Justin. Be a pivotal org in the transition to clean energy.

Global Energy Monitor@globalenergymon.bsky.social · last yr.

After 17 years of leadership, GEM founder Ted Nace is stepping down as Executive Director. Under his guidance, GEM grew from a bold idea into a global nonprofit tracking 130,000+ energy assets. We’re excited to welcome Justin Locke as our new ED: globalenergymonitor.org/press-releas...

Unthinkable just 10 years ago: Almost 3/4 of the EU’s electricity in 2024 was from renewable energy sources and nuclear. Gas and coal electricity generation is at record low levels.

Gas power has grown quickly in the past four years in China, but geopolitical and economic uncertainties make it a vulnerability. Maggie and I wrote an op-ed to argue that betting on gas is a short-sighted strategy.

After Spain/Portugal blackout, a Chinese friend said that such things won’t happen in China because “we have coal”. Spain will learn lessons from the accident but going back to coal is not one. Seeking comfort from coal is a default solution for many Chinese in energy sector.

China permitted 10 nuclear reactors today. The 4th year in a row adding at least 10 each year. It’s passed France and only after the US, Like in a competition game. Only it’s playing an extremely deadly, extremely dirty and extremely expensive power game.

Even Gold Trump pin is made in China!