Apr 29, 2025
China continues to support international coal power plants despite its commitment made in 2021.
Chinese companies are continuing to construct new coal-fired power plants in Indonesia, despite a commitment made in 2021 to cease financing overseas coal projects, as shown by an analysis of energy investments in BRICS nations released on Tuesday.
China is involved in the development of 7.7 gigawatts of new coal-fired power, primarily to support nickel smelters in Indonesia, according to the U.S. think tank Global Energy Monitor.
The BRICS group, established by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009, has expanded to include members covering about a quarter of the global economy and half of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.
Although Brazil, India, and China have rapidly transitioned to renewables, making up over half of the bloc's electricity mix last year, the newest members and partners—including Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia—still depend on fossil fuels to address growing energy demands, often with Chinese support.
James Norman, project manager for GEM's Global Integrated Power Tracker, warned that investing in coal, gas, and oil could lead these countries down an unfavorable path.
The ten countries are constructing 25 GW of coal, oil, and gas capacity, in contrast to only 2.3 GW from solar and wind, according to GEM data. Additionally, 63 GW of gas-fired capacity is in development.
GEM reported that 62% of the generation capacity under construction in these countries relies on Chinese state-owned enterprises for financing, procurement, engineering, or construction, with China backing 88% of all new coal power being built.
China’s environment ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
President Xi Jinping stated in 2021 that China would not assist in building or financing overseas coal-fired power, yet research shows that at least 26.2 GW of new China-backed capacity has been established since that pledge.
Climate change will be a key topic at the BRICS leaders' meeting in Brazil in June, with the host nation urging China and others to make greater commitments to reduce emissions ahead of the COP 30 climate summit in November.
China is involved in the development of 7.7 gigawatts of new coal-fired power, primarily to support nickel smelters in Indonesia, according to the U.S. think tank Global Energy Monitor.
The BRICS group, established by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009, has expanded to include members covering about a quarter of the global economy and half of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.
Although Brazil, India, and China have rapidly transitioned to renewables, making up over half of the bloc's electricity mix last year, the newest members and partners—including Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia—still depend on fossil fuels to address growing energy demands, often with Chinese support.
James Norman, project manager for GEM's Global Integrated Power Tracker, warned that investing in coal, gas, and oil could lead these countries down an unfavorable path.
The ten countries are constructing 25 GW of coal, oil, and gas capacity, in contrast to only 2.3 GW from solar and wind, according to GEM data. Additionally, 63 GW of gas-fired capacity is in development.
GEM reported that 62% of the generation capacity under construction in these countries relies on Chinese state-owned enterprises for financing, procurement, engineering, or construction, with China backing 88% of all new coal power being built.
China’s environment ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
President Xi Jinping stated in 2021 that China would not assist in building or financing overseas coal-fired power, yet research shows that at least 26.2 GW of new China-backed capacity has been established since that pledge.
Climate change will be a key topic at the BRICS leaders' meeting in Brazil in June, with the host nation urging China and others to make greater commitments to reduce emissions ahead of the COP 30 climate summit in November.