China pledges to stop building new coal power plants abroad

China, the biggest builder of coal-fired power plants in Balkan countries, is set to stop developing new coal power projects outside of its own borders, according to an announcement by President Xi Jinping.

Addressing the 76th session of UN General Assembly via video link, Xi said that China will increase its support for developing countries’ green and low-carbon energy projects, and he stressed the need for speeding up the transition to green and low-carbon energy.

Xi: China will increase support for green energy projects in developing countries

Xi also reiterated China’s intention to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, with CO2 emissions peaking before 2030.

Chinese contractors working on coal power projects in Serbia, BiH

One of the biggest Chinese companies, Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), signed a contract in 2020 to build the Kolubara B coal-fired power plant in Serbia, but the Serbian government cancelled the project earlier this year.

The move is seen as Serbia’s first serious step in the energy transition process.

Another Chinese company, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), is already building a third, 350 MW unit at thermal power plant Kostolac B, east of the Serbian capital Belgrade.

Chinese firms are working on two coal-fired power plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, China Electric and Polish-Chinese firm Sunningwell International have announced an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) deal for the Ugljevik 3 thermal power plant.

Also, Gezhouba Group and the Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute from China are working on the construction of unit 7 at the Tuzla thermal power plant.