China’s Coal Power Can Win The AI Race

In June, Rand Corporation researchers stated: “China wants to become the global leader in Artificial Intelligence by 2030”. Given events of the past 25 years, does anyone think this is an unreasonable goal? Decades ago, the world was caught flat footed by the rapidity with which China was able to utilize coal-based electricity to jump forward. In the 2000 World Energy Outlook, the IEA projected coal generating capacity would increase from the then current 212 GW to 499 GW in 2020. By 2020, however, China’s actual coal capacity was over 1,000 GW. Similarly, in 2000, the IEA projected China’s coal generation would increase from 990 TWh to 2,600 TWh in 2020. But, by 2020, generation from coal exceeded 4,800 TWh and was well on its way toward 6,000 TWh.

China plays the long game in energy. In successive Five-Year Plans, Beijing focused on strategic investments in renewable technologies as well as the critical minerals to support them. CONTINUE READING ...