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China's Belt & Road Initiative coal power cooperation: Transitioning toward low-carbon development

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  • Lin, Boqiang
  • Bega, François

Abstract

Energy cooperation is a major part of China's Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). In particular, power generation projects play a significant role, especially coal power projects. In spite of its substantial impacts on China and the world, research on the BRI coal power projects is scarce. To provide a better picture of the BRI coal power cooperation, we analyze the evolutions, rationales, challenges, and prospects. Our finding reveals that the BRI coal power projects generate opportunity for the BRI participants, as coal energy can render electricity generation more efficient in these countries, mostly from developing world, with larger and cleaner plants, providing flexibility for greater integration of renewables. However, given sustainability concerns regarding coal power, our article suggests that the transition toward low-carbon energy systems should be pursued in the long-term with more focus on promoting innovations in energy efficiency, energy storage, and cleaner energies like gas, wind, and solar.

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  • Lin, Boqiang & Bega, François, 2021. "China's Belt & Road Initiative coal power cooperation: Transitioning toward low-carbon development," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:156:y:2021:i:c:s0301421521003086
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112438
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    5. Yanmei Li & Xiushan Bai, 2022. "How Can China and the Belt and Road Initiative Countries Work Together Responding to Climate Change: A Perspective on Carbon Emissions and Economic Spillover Effects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Bhandary, Rishikesh Ram & Gallagher, Kelly Sims, 2022. "What drives Pakistan’s coal-fired power plant construction boom? Understanding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s energy portfolio," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    7. Bega, François & Lin, Boqiang, 2024. "China's Belt & Road Initiative hydropower cooperation: what can be improved?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    8. Wang, Banban & Lin, Ping, 2022. "Whether China's overseas energy infrastructure projects dirtier or cleaner after the belt and road initiative?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    9. Cheng, Si & Wang, Banban, 2023. "Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on China's overseas renewable energy development finance: Effects and features," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1036-1048.
    10. Changchun Li & Sen Wang, 2022. "Digital Optimization, Green R&D Collaboration, and Green Technological Innovation in Manufacturing Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.
    11. Cao, Lihua & Li, Xiaoli & Wang, Di, 2022. "A thermodynamic system of coal-fired power unit coupled S–CO2 energy-storage cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    12. Lin, Boqiang & Zhao, Hengsong, 2023. "Tracking policy uncertainty under climate change," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    13. Schulhof, Vera & van Vuuren, Detlef & Kirchherr, Julian, 2022. "The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): What Will it Look Like in the Future?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    14. Bega, François & Lin, Boqiang, 2023. "China's belt & road initiative energy cooperation: International assessment of the power projects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).

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