Beijing strives to balance security and decarbonisation
The ongoing global energy crunch underlines the difficult task facing China’s leaders in balancing energy supply security while reaching net zero in the next 40 years
The extensive power cuts in China have roiled industry over the past two months and come amid energy shortfalls in Europe, India, Pakistan and Brazil. Elsewhere power prices in Japan and South Korea have climbed in recent weeks to reflect the spike in costs for oil, LNG and coal. China’s power shortages are largely rooted in high coal prices and inflexible electricity tariffs that have not been able to reflect the rising generation costs. Renewables and China’s net-zero carbon goal have not been blamed, but the debacle has renewed a debate in policy circles over whether the near-term priority should be energy security—which would include greater production of fossil fuels alongside renewable
Also in this section
20 May 2024
Not for the first time, a foreign oil company-led project in Iraq’s Kurdistan region is dealing with the aftermath of a deadly drone attack
17 May 2024
The latest drought crisis is passing, but longer-term solutions are in motion, explains Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez Morales
16 May 2024
Flat oil growth in 2024 highlights mounting industry problems
15 May 2024
Five years ago, Uzbekistan turned to a private company called Saneg to reverse the fortunes of its oil industry. Results so far are encouraging, and according to CEO Tulkin Yusupov, further progress is on the way