Energy efficiency will limit coal consumption

China is expected to continue increasing energy efficiency throughout 2014, resulting in a drop in coal and oil consumption, according to new projections from the National Energy Agency (NEA).

Total energy consumption in China is expected to increase 3.2% year on year to 3.88 billion t of coal equivalent in 2014, according to the NEA.

In contrast, coal consumption will increase 1.6% year on year to 3.8 billion t while demand for oil will rise 1.8% year on year to 510 million t, the NEA stated. Apparent demand for natural gas this year will increase 14.5% year on year to 193 billion m³.

China is estimated to use 0.71 t of coal equivalent of energy to produce every Yuan 10 000 (US$ 1653) of GDP, an energy intensity rate that is 3.9% lower than last year and down 12% from 2010, the NEA report suggests.

Overall consumption of non-fossil fuels will increase to 10.7% of total energy consumption throughout 2014, with the proportion of natural gas at 6.5%.

Coal consumption as a proportion of the total energy mix will fall below 65% in 2014. This is an improvement on an earlier target set by the central government, which in its most recent five year plan for energy development, was aiming for coal consumption to be reduced to 65% of the total energy mix by 2015.

Instead, more nuclear, hydro, wind, renewables and solar power will be developed this year, the NEA said.

Edited from various sources by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/27012014/energy_efficiency_to_limit_coal_consumption_in_china_450/