China blocks new coal projects

The Chinese government will block new coal-fired power projects in 15 regions to help the country meet its climate targets and address severe pollution problems, according to reports.

The move is part of the National Energy Administration’s initiative to limit the development of coal energy sources in the country.

The Southern Energy Observer said the 15 regions included Shanxi, Shandong, Inner Mongolia, Hubei, Guangdong, and Yunnan, among others.

According to Greenpeace, at least 250 coal-fired power projects will be affected totalling more than 170 gigawatts of project electricity generation capacity.

A measure imposed by the Chinese National Energy Administration (NEA) recently also that saw regulators postpone new coal-mine developments in the country until at least 2019 due to overcapacity and worsening air pollution problems.