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RAP experts keep their finger on the pulse of the energy sector and provide timely analysis of topics impacting stakeholders TODAY.
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May 28, 2020
Power Sector Transformation and Economic Recovery in China
- Richard Sedano
The good news is that coal is struggling around much of the world because the business case for coal-fired power is diminishing year by year. In competitive procurements around the globe, portfolios of clean energy — wind and solar especially… View Summary +
January 11, 2018
The quiet power market transformation behind the new carbon market in China
In December, the Chinese government announced the launch of a national carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS), which is expected to become the largest ETS in the world. This is a major development, writes Max Dupuy, senior associate at the Regulatory… View Summary +

January 4, 2018
Environmental Permits Can Help to Implement Power Sector Reform
- Christopher James
During my trip to China this past October and November, my tenth such during that time of year, I wore my facemask only once, on a day when the air quality index (AQI) was 260. While an AQI of 260… View Summary +

December 20, 2017
What’s Next for Distributed Generation in China?
Investment in solar photovoltaic (PV) generation is surging in China, and, although utility-scale solar continues to dominate, distributed solar is also growing rapidly. The country is estimated to have added 54 GW of solar in 2017, and distributed solar… View Summary +

June 8, 2020
China’s Watchdog for State-Owned Enterprises Grapples With Coal-Fired Generation
The future of China’s power sector, which accounts for about a quarter of the world’s annual consumption of coal and a still-growing fleet of coal-fired generation units, is one of the central questions for world climate policy. Within… View Summary +

September 9, 2020
Why would anyone finance another coal power plant in China?
Government officials and state-owned energy enterprises in China are currently debating another wave of coal power investment, despite a severely diminished business case for the technology. These companies that own and operate China’s coal fleet are already facing … View Summary +

July 17, 2017
Industrial Energy Efficiency Can Improve Air Quality
- Sara Shapiro-Bengtsen ,
- Christopher James
Despite the Chinese government’s extensive efforts to improve air quality per the State Council’s “Ten Measures” Action Plan and implementation of regional air quality control measures, air pollution recently worsened in the Jing-Jin-Ji region (Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei). After… View Summary +

February 4, 2021
China’s Energy Plan: Making It Work for Carbon Peaking
In November 2020, China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) requested general input on the yet-to-be-published 14th Five-Year Energy Plan (2021-25) and allowed a brief window for submissions. This post is an edited version of the rapid-response input RAP provided. RAP focused… View Summary +

May 22, 2017
China’s Power Sector Reform: Progress for Clean Energy
Just over two years ago, China’s top leaders launched a major round of power sector reform. From a clean energy perspective, the reform efforts to date show clear progress, but deeper reform efforts will be a challenge. Development of… View Summary +
July 20, 2021
Unwinding Finance for Coal Power in China: The Role of Power Sector Reform
Building on its commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060, China’s government recently pledged to “strictly control” coal power capacity over the next five years, before beginning to phase it out in subsequent… View Summary +
