The fourth and last remaining major coal power plant fueling the Chinese capital’s electric grid will be closed in 2016 and be replaced by a natural gas facility. The first one was closed last year, followed by two more last week. Analysts expect the move will mean cutting annual carbon emissions by 30 million tons. The trend is nationwide as China is moving forward with its plan to close more than 2,000 smaller coal mines from 2013 to the end of this year, while boosting hydro, solar and wind. The booming nation, which has been producing 64% of its electricity from coal, is now intent on addressing the public health hazard caused by air pollution as a result of the rapid growth of its industrial activity, urban developmeent and energy use. Next on the list of Beijing’s authorities: closing polluting companies and reducing cement production capacity.
Beijing moves beyond coal to fight pollution
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