Coal power flexibility, clean heat, and repowering pathways
The May–August 2026 edition of the Repower China Brief examines recent policy developments alongside the challenges of reducing reliance on coal, including the need for clean alternatives to district heating and industrial heat.
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) is setting a clearer direction for coal power: a shift towards greater flexibility and system support. Yet important questions remain around the economics of this transition, particularly how existing plants will be compensated for providing reliable capacity.
The edition also covers recent developments in coal-to-nuclear repowering, including CHN Energy’s preparatory research into coal-to-nuclear conversion and new academic findings on the suitability of Chinese coal power plant sites for nuclear repowering.
Further research into thermal energy storage examines how existing power infrastructure could be adapted to provide greater flexibility, while retaining assets that may remain valuable beyond coal generation.