China is holding back from building new coal-fired power plants to avoid risks of overcapacity and promote a clean energy mix.

A total of 150 GW of new coal power generation capacity will get construction halted or postponed during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), according to a statement released August 14 by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and other government agencies.

"New capacity will be strictly controlled," the statement said, citing measures to crack down on violations in planning, approval and operation. "All illegal coal-burning power projects will be halted."

Meanwhile, more than 20 GW of outdated capacity will be eliminated; nearly 1 TW of capacity will be upgraded to produce fewer emissions, use less energy, and better coordinate with new energy development.

The government plans to keep the country's total coal power capacity below 1.1 TW by 2020.

The move followed an ongoing campaign to downsize bloated heavy industries, especially coal mining and steel smelting. Solid progress has been made to shut down inefficient coal mines, and more measures are in the pipeline.

The country is gradually lowering the proportion of coal in its energy system to make room for clean energy. Coal will account for less than 58% of energy consumption in 2020, down from the current 60% or more.

(Writing by Alex Guo  Editing by Harry Huo)
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