China approved 15 GW of new coal-fired power capacity and another 30 million mt of coal production capacity during the first half of this year, despite falling power and steel demand over the period, Reuters reported. China has been approving more coal projects after a wave of power shortages paralyzed large parts of the economy last year. Chinese coal production over the first eight months of 2022 reached 2.93 billion mt, up 11% over the same period last year, offsetting a decline in imports. The country has also raised annual production capacity at its existing coal mines by 490 million mt since last year. China’s total power generation capacity had reached 2,466 GW by the end of August, up 8% on the same period last year. The U.S. generated 1,144 GW in 2021.

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