China to restrict new coal-fired power projects in eight regions

BEIJING: China will restrict new coal-fired power projects in eight regions across the country to further reduce air pollution and ease oversupply in those areas.

The coal-mining heartlands of Shanxi, Shandong and eastern-Inner Mongolia, as well as Heilongjiang, Jilin, Gansu, Ningxia and Xinjiang, regions that also have plenty of solar and wind resources, will not be allowed to approve new coal-fired power projects, according to a statement issued by China's National Energy Administration on Friday.

Projects built to transmit power to other regions that have power deficits will still be allowed, the NEA statement said.

The curbs will take effect immediately until 2022.