China's new energy plan sets coal consumption peak, reinforces top five supply bases

China's top economic planner and energy regulator released the 15th Five-Year Plan for Building a New Energy System on June 25, laying out the country's energy goals through 2030. Coal consumption will peak during this period, but the government is also doubling down on its five major coal supply bases to keep the fuel as a safety reserve.

The plan, jointly published by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration (NEA), targets an initial clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system by 2030. Overall energy production capacity should reach 5.8 billion tonnes of standard coal equivalent – a standardized unit that converts all