Analysis: China Ups Pressure on Some Provinces as Energy-Saving Efforts Fall Short

Gansu, Hubei, Shaanxi and Qinghai have been told to step up measures to reduce energy intensity to meet targets set in the 14th Five-Year Plan

A coal-fired power plant in Yulin, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province, on Aug. 5. Photo: VCG

China has warned four provinces to pick up the pace in achieving their central government-set energy-saving targets by 2025, as slow progress has seen them falling behind other provinces in controlling the use of energy, according to a statement from the country’s top economic planner.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) summoned officials from Gansu, Hubei, Shaanxi and Qinghai provinces for talks between Sept. 1 to Friday, during which it required them to step up efforts to cut their energy intensity levels, an NDRC statement said Saturday.

Energy intensity, which measures how much energy is used to produce one unit of gross economic output, is a key gauge for China’s energy transition and a “binding target” of the 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP). Provinces “must meet” their goals for the 2021-2025 period, the NDRC stressed in the statement.