Fu Chengyu, former Sinopec chairman at WGC in Beijing (Source: WGC)
China’s pragmatic coal-to-gas strategy
A cautious approach to coal-to-gas switching offers lessons to others who are looking to balance cost with cleaner energy
China’s coal-to-gas (CTG) switch remains a work in progress more than a decade after it kicked off, with coal continuing to meet more than half of primary energy consumption last year. But the effort by the biggest economy so far to attempt to wean itself off coal offers useful lessons for other developing countries eyeing the transition, delegates heard at the World Gas Conference in Beijing in May. CTG switching policies in China have needed to balance the classic energy trilemma of security, affordability and development, Fu Chengyu, chairman of the Renewable Energy and Net Zero Council, said on a panel. Fu was chairman of Sinopec—China’s second-largest gas supplier—in September 2013, whe
Also in this section
21 April 2026
After overcoming a COVID-induced demand collapse with several years of successful market management, geopolitical events have conspired to provide the pact’s biggest test to date
21 April 2026
The regime’s policy of using nuclear ambiguity as a deterrent may have failed but it has realised it has other cards to play, while its neighbours are reappraising their approach to security
21 April 2026
As the global energy system undergoes a fundamental realignment, Algihaz Holdings has established itself as a critical player bridging conventional energy markets and the next generation of renewable infrastructure.
21 April 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress is taking place from 11-15 October 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.
