Kathmandu— China has unveiled a development plan to modernize its coal industry by 2030, seeking to reconcile the need for continued energy security with its broader transition towards cleaner energy sources. Released Monday by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration, the plan details strategies for optimizing coal production, phasing out inefficient operations, and integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence into mining practices. The initiative comes as China anticipates peaking its overall coal consumption while simultaneously increasing its reliance on non-fossil fuels to 25% of total energy use.

Modernization Targets

By 2030, the plan envisions large, modern coal mines accounting for 87 percent of China’s total production capacity. A significant emphasis is placed on intelligent mining operations – digitally connected and automated worksites utilizing AI and real-time data to enhance efficiency and safety – which are projected to comprise 75 percent of all coal mines. The country's five major coal supply bases are expected to contribute over 80 percent of national output, consolidating production within key regions.

Balancing Security and Sustainability

Despite the push for renewable energy sources, China recognizes coal’s continued importance in ensuring its energy security. The plan calls for a prudent approach to exploiting deep coal resources alongside efforts to improve the quality of commercially available coal and accelerate upgrades to coal-fired power generation facilities. It also advocates for expanding the use of coal as an industrial feedstock, maximizing its value beyond direct energy production.

Clean Coal Technologies

The development plan actively promotes clean alternatives to traditional coal usage and emphasizes the scaled-up development and utilization of coalbed methane. This approach offers multiple benefits, including enhanced mine safety, increased clean energy supply, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. China aims to produce 26 billion cubic meters of coalbed methane and utilize 6.5 billion cubic meters of coal mine gas by 2030, according to an annex to the plan. Qu Yang, a researcher with the Coal Industry Planning and Design Research Institute, anticipates that smaller, accident-prone mines and those with depleted resources will exit the market at an accelerated rate during the 2026-2030 period as these changes take effect.

The implementation of this plan is expected to reshape China’s coal industry over the next decade, concentrating production in larger, more efficient facilities while integrating cleaner technologies and prioritizing energy security.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.