China plans to cut back on small-scale power plants

China plans to cut back on the small-scale generating units that account for nearly one-third of its coal-burning power capacity, state media reported on Wednesday.
English
The energy policy-setting National Development and Reform Commission has drawn up a set of proposals for scaling up the size of the country’s coal-burning stations, the China Securities Journal said, citing senior officials. "

The high proportion of small generating units is a key problem for the power industry and has become an important factor restricting its healthy development," the paper quoted a NDRC official as saying.

Measures include subsidies for companies that shift to large generating units from smaller ones, and encouraging suitable smaller plants to shift to biomass fuel like straw.
They aim to address pollution, pricing and power management among other issues, and promote clean, efficient and renewable energy.