This year Beijing will continue to cut coal consumption by 30 percent in an effort to control total coal consumption within 7 million tons.

Since the program for reducing coal consumption began in 2013, Beijing has slashed the total volume burned by over 13 million tons from 23 million tons in 2012 to 10 million tons at the end of 2016.

Efforts this year will be intensified to cut coal-burning by industry, rural homes and heating systems. In the industrial sector, cement producers will be a particular focus as a large amount of coal ash is required for clinker filler in the production process.

On March 18, the last coal-fired thermal power plant in Beijing was shut down, allowing the capital to enter the coal-free era in local power generation.

Data shows that, last year, the plant’s coal-fired units actually burned about 1.76 million tons of coal. Closure will result in an annual reduction of more than 480 tons invarious emissions, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust.

All districts in Beijing have been allocated various tasks. A coal-free energy structure will be fulfilled in the six districts and the southern plains at the end of this year.

PetroChina will also speed up the construction of a natural gas pipeline to secure adequate supply to Beijing, with a target of beginning operations before the end of October.

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