Climate Change - Coping Strategies and Actions
The PRC government always places strong emphasis on environmental protection. Legislations were enacted to facilitate the development of renewable energy and a number of environmental protection policies were promulgated successively with a view to realizing sustainable development of both the economy and the environment. With China officially becoming a party to the Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2016 indicating a serious commitment to tackling climate change, the PRC government issued in the same year the national economic "13th Five-Year" plan for energy and power development, in which the targets for clean energy development up to 2020 were specified. In order to keep abreast of the trends and requirements on combating climate change overseas, the PRC government has imposed higher requirements on works in relation to combating climate changes at the National Conference on Ecological Environmental Protection held in 2018. In general, PRC enterprises were confronted with increasing number of new and more stringent requirements on environmental protection when fulfilling their social responsibilities. The Group acknowledges that it is incumbent upon, and obligatory for, energy and power companies such as the Group to actively cope with global climate change, formulate corresponding strategies and take relevant actions.
Our Strategies
Aims and Directions for Development
The Group is committed to establishing itself as a clean low-carbon integrated energy company and contributing to the effective responses to global climate change. The Group's directions for development to achieve its existing goals are as follows:
Focus on the development of clean energy: continue to increase the proportion of clean energy by maintaining our lead in hydropower and making further progress in the development of quality wind power and photovoltaic power projects, while controlling and slowing down the development of coal-fired power in a timely manner.
Achieve comprehensive purification of the existing coal-fired power: to complete the ultra-low emission technical upgrades for all coal-fired power generating units in order to reduce the pollutants and greenhouse gases emission per unit of power generated; to enhance the efficiency of the power generating units in order to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels per unit of power generated.
Reduce investment in coal-fired power: shutdown those coal-fired power generating units with small capacity, low parameters and not feasible to carry out the ultra-low emission technical upgrades; actively seek for cooperation with other enterprises to develop the existing coal-fired power in order to reduce the proportion of shareholding in coal-fired power enterprises.
Promote technological innovation: to strive for breakthroughs in the area of clean energy and low-carbon emission technologies with greater investment in technological research and development.
Explore other types of energy: actively explore new energy segments, and seek to participate in the hydrogen power application demonstration projects of Expo 2019 and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games by promoting the development of hydrogen energy projects.
Basis of Actions
The actions carried out by the Group are based on:
Policy guidance: commitments made by the PRC government upon joining the Paris Climate Change Agreement, targets as set out in the national economic "13th Five-Year" plan for energy and power development of the PRC, "Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (《大氣污染防治行動計劃》)", "Action Plan of the Upgrade and Renovation for Coal-fired Units to Achieve Energy Saving and Emission Reduction (2014–2020) (《煤電節能減排升級與改造行動計劃(2014–2020年)》)", among other policies.
Regulatory standards: "Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China (《中華人民共和國環境保護法》)", "Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law of the People's Republic of China (《中華人民共和國大氣污染防治法》)", "Emission Standard of Air Pollutants for Coal-fired Power Plants (《火電廠大氣污染物排放標準》)" and other regulatory standards on environmental protection issued by the central and local governments.
Working guidelines: "Action Plan for Enhancing the Protection of Ecological Environment (《生態環境保護提升行動方案》)" and working guidelines regarding the protection of ecological environment issued by other business units.
Strategic Support
The Group accelerates the implementation of its transformational development strategy and strives for development in clean energy, integration, smart technology and international expansion. In particular, development in modern clean energy was ramped up in a bid to reduce reliance on traditional energies as soon as possible and gradually transform from high-carbon into low-carbon generation, which is a major component in the Group's transformational development strategy. The established strategy of the Group strongly supports various initiatives in coping with climate change.
Our Works
In strict compliance with the "Emission Standard of Air Pollutants for Coal-fired Power Plants (《火電廠大氣污染物排放標準》)" and other pertinent laws and regulations as well as in response to the requirements under "Action Plan of the Upgrade and Renovation for Coal-fired Units to Achieve Energy Saving and Emission Reduction (2014–2020) (《煤電節能減排升級與改造行動計劃(2014–2020年)》)", the Group effectively controlled the emission of airborne pollutants by installing dedusting, desulphurization and denitration facilities and procuring coals with less pollutant contents.
Basic Measures Adopted to Reduce Air Pollution
| Develop Clean Energy |
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Actively develop clean energy projects, such as hydropower, wind power, photovoltaic power and natural gas power |
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Develop integrated intelligent energy projects to facilitate the developments of clean and highly efficient energy in various regions |
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| Strengthen Energy-saving Management |
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Strengthen fuel management by enhancing calorific value of coals-as-received and coals-as-fired to reduce fuel wastage |
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Optimize operational management by reducing oil usage for start-up of power generating units |
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Maximize the load rate of power generating units to prevent and minimize oil usage for low-load stable combustion |
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Enhance management of equipment depletion to minimize oil usage during malfunctioning of auxiliary machinery |
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| Enhance Coal Sourcing Management |
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Enhance utilization efficiency of coal by procuring quality coal with high calorific values and low sulphur contents |
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| Promote Application of Clean Energy Technology |
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Increase inputs in technical improvement with a stronger emphasis on desulphurization, denitration and capacity increase transformation, technical upgrades on power supply of high-frequency electrical dedusting and techniques for demolishing the exhaust bypass |
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| Commence Responsible Production |
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Properly plan the production sites by planting trees and lawn, arranging sprinkler to conduct sprinkling in the plant area regularly and as needed |
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Engage in the construction of dry coal sheds and install additional sprinklers and dust gauze in the coal fields for dust control with a view to improving the work environment on-site |
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Timely cope with changes in the environment on-site by installing air pollution monitoring instruments to monitor air quality on a real-time basis |
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| Advocate for Transparency of Environmental Information |
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Disclose emission information for pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and flue gas and dusts at production sites with reference to specified environmental standards in an effort to actively accept public scrutiny |
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Reducing Waste Gas Emissions
We strictly follow the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, GB 13223-2011 Emission Standard of Air Pollutants for Thermal Power Plants, GB 3095-2012 Ambient Air Quality Standard and other laws and regulations. We continued our efforts to reduce waste gas emissions, improved the ultra-low emission projects for generating units newly commissioned, and implemented the "Technology for Efficiency Improvement of Denitration System Based on Advanced Measurement and Control Technology" project to maximize denitration efficiency and avoid ammonia pollution.
By the end of 2019, more than 90% of operating coal-fired power generating units of the Group have met the ultra-low emission standards, among which six power plants received incentive electricity for environmental protection (totaling about 1,521,000MWh) from local governments.
The emission density of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides increased year on year, since the two 660MW units newly put into commercial operation did not meet the ultra-low emission standards. However, thanks to the remarkable results of upgrade and retrofit projects of some power plants for ultra-low emission, the Group's dust emission density further decreased by 12.5%. We reduced greenhouse gas emissions by developing clean energy projects, thereby effectively controlling the relevant increase. In 2019, our clean energy generation reached 27,902,917MWh, equivalent to a reduction of 22,127,013 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
| Emission Types and Categories |
Unit |
20182 |
20192 |
(Decrease)/
Increase |
Change |
| Nitrogen oxide emission density |
g/kWh |
0.097 |
0.133 |
0.036 |
+37.11% |
| Sulphur dioxide emission density |
g/kWh |
0.056 |
0.076 |
0.02 |
+35.71% |
| Carbon dioxide emission density1 |
g/kWh |
841 |
839 |
(2) |
–0.24% |
| Dust emission density |
g/kWh |
0.008 |
0.007 |
(0.001) |
–12.50% |
| Total nitrogen oxide emission |
'000 tonnes |
5.097 |
7.874 |
2.777 |
+54.48% |
| Total sulphur dioxide emission |
'000 tonnes |
2.952 |
4.478 |
1.526 |
+51.69% |
| Total carbon dioxide emission1 |
'000 tonnes |
45,527 |
48,855 |
3,328 |
+7.31% |
| Total dust emission |
'000 tonnes |
0.426 |
0.429 |
0.003 |
+0.70% |
1 The carbon dioxide emissions is calculated in accordance with the Guide for Greenhouse Gas Emission Accounting and Reporting of Chinese Power Generation Enterprise (Trial) and the Requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Accounting and Reporting—Part 1: Power Generation Enterprise (GB/T 32151.1-2015). Due to the increase in the calculation of relevant emission factors, the comparative figures for 2018 have been restated.
2 The Group's greenhouse gas emissions mainly come from the consumption of coal in the power plant boilers (Scope 1). Except for the office buildings (the value is relatively few), since there is no electricity and heat purchased (Scope 2), they are not shown separately
Optimizing Disposal of Solid Wastes
We strictly abide by GB 18599-2001 Standard for Pollution Control on the Storage and Disposal Site for General Industrial Solid Wastes, and follow the principle of separate handling of bottom and fly ash, separation of coarse ash from fine ash and dry-type emission of dry ash to establish a perfect bottom and fly ash handling system, so as to reduce waste emissions. We have fully exploited potential uses of fly ash, developed comprehensive utilization and management methods and annual targets for fly ash, and achieved the recycling of wastes. In 2019, the comprehensive utilization rate of fly ash of the Group was 84.88%, a decrease of 2.06 percentage points as compared with 2018.
| Emission Types and Categories |
Unit |
2018 |
2019 |
(Decrease)/
Increase |
Change |
| Emission density of hazardous solid wastes |
g/kWh |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Emission density of non-hazardous solid wastes |
g/kWh |
25.8 |
33.2 |
7.4 |
+28.68% |
| Total emission of hazardous solid wastes |
'000 tonnes |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total emission of non-hazardous solid wastes |
'000 tonnes |
1,323 |
1,963 |
640 |
+48.37% |
Note: With the increased power generation and commercial operation of two large-capacity generating units of the Group, the emissions of non-hazardous wastes were increased.
Reducing Hazards of Wastewater
We strictly abide by GB 8978-2002 Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard, DL/T 997-2006 Discharge Standard of Wastewater from Limestone-Gypsum Flue Gas Desulfurization System in Fossil Fuel Power Plants and other applicable standards, actively implement the Water Pollution Prevention Action Plan launched by the State Council, and reduce the amount of pollutants in wastewater by means of technological modification, so as to ensure that discharge of wastewater reaches the national standards.
Substantial progress in water pollution control in 2019
- The zero wastewater discharge project was successfully implemented in Shangqiu Power Plant.
- After modification of the circulating water system and make-up water system, the wastewater discharge of Yaomeng Power Plant reduced about 300 million m3/year, significantly reducing the impacts on water bodies around.
| Emission Types and Categories |
Unit |
2018 |
2019 |
(Decrease)/
Increase |
Change |
| Total amount of industrial wastewater discharge |
'000 tonnes |
339.9 |
110.4 |
(229.5) |
-67.52% |
Utilization of resources
We endeavor to build a resource-saving enterprise, strengthen environmental protection during production activities, and improve energy efficiency by upgrading production technologies. We also advocate for energy-saving office work, and make efforts to create a green and low-carbon office environment, thereby realizing resource conservation in production, operation and daily work.
Efficiently Utilizing Coal Resources
We have worked out targeted energy conservation schemes from the aspects of energy conservation management, operation optimization, technical modification, etc., through integrated use of methods such as power mix optimization, energy conservation management, coal procurement management, and coal utilization rate improvement, to reduce coal consumption and consumption of non-renewable resources.
In 2019, 6,600,600 tons of economic coal were consumed for blending combustion, and the coal consumption rate of the Group was 301.82g/kWh, representing a decrease of 0.59g/kWh as compared with the previous year, equivalent to saving of about 52,858 tons of standard coal.
| Indicator |
Unit |
2018 |
2019 |
(Decrease)/
Increase |
Change |
| Coal consumption rate |
g/kWh |
302.41 |
301.82 |
(0.59) |
-0.20% |
Water resources - Saving Production Water
We enhance water-saving capacity in production activities, increase recycling efficiency of water resources, carry out in-depth research on water-saving technologies, strengthen operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities, establish a reusable water collection and treatment system, and optimize comprehensive utilization and dispatching of hydropower generation, so as to realize efficient use of water resources.
| Indicator |
Unit |
2018 |
2019 |
(Decrease)/
Increase |
Change |
| Total water consumption |
million tonnes |
72.49 |
87.17 |
14.68 |
+20.25% |
| Water consumption per unit |
g/kWh |
1,352 |
1,471 |
119 |
+8.80% |
Note: In 2019, the unit water consumption and total water consumption increased due to the commercial operation of large-capacity units, commissioning of expanded units and renovation of circulating water system of 300MW generating units.
Other resources
We integrate the concept of low-carbon development into daily office operations, use the OA system and mobile phone-based patrol inspection system to realize "paperless office", implement power saving management plans in office buildings to raise employees' awareness of green office, strengthen official cars management, and improve the car utilization efficiency, so as to push forward green and low-carbon development of the Group.
Green office measures
| Green Trips |
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Enhance management and increase utilization rate of corporate vehicles |
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Conduct monthly surveys and analyses to track fuel consumption of vehicles, and arrange necessary repairs and maintenance to reduce emission |
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Encourage employees to commute by corporate shuttle bus |
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Use video and telephone conferencing to replace certain business trips |
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| Enhance Power Management |
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Clean and make energy-saving upgrades on boiler units and central air-conditioning system in the office by means of technical upgrade projects |
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Adjust the central air-conditioning system and the street lights on and off time on real-time basis according to the temperature and sunshine duration |
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Adjust the number of elevators in power and in use according to the commute traffic of employees |
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Implement energy-saving plan from 6:00 p.m. and turn off unnecessary power supply after security checks every night |
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| "Paperless" Office |
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Use synchronized OA office system and cell phone-based patrol system to realize a paperless low-carbon office |
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Adopt double-sided printing to enhance paper utilization rate |
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Realize paperless meetings by holding most conferences electronically and reading meeting documents via digital tablets |
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Green office effectiveness
| Indicator |
Unit |
2018 |
2019 |
(Decrease)/
Increase |
Change |
| Total paper used |
tonnes |
38.46 |
30.37 |
(8.09) |
-21.03% |
| Total power consumption |
kWh |
12,790,188 |
13,038,586 |
248,398 |
+1.94% |
| Total fuel consumption of corporate vehicles |
litres |
776,855 |
727,340 |
(49,515) |
-6.37% |
| Total water consumption |
tonnes |
144,944 |
154,029 |
9,085 |
+6.27% |
| Video conference |
times |
1,109 |
1,629 |
520 |
+46.89% |
Note: In 2019, though the consumption of resources was increased due to the commercial operation of Shangqiu Power Plant, the green office performance of most subsidiaries of the Group represented a year-on-year increase.
Environment and natural resources
Optimizing Energy Mix
We are committed to developing and supplying reliable and sustainable modern energy, promoting the development of clean coal-fired power, intensifying the orderly development of clean energy, and exploring effective ways of developing and utilizing hydrogen energy. We have continuously optimized the power source mix and fully pushed forward structural transformation of social energy consumption.
We focus on the development of clean energy, maintain a competitive edge in the hydropower, promote the development of highquality wind power and photovoltaic power projects, and properly control and slow down the development of coal-fired power projects, thus increasing the proportion of clean energy. In addition, we actively explore new energy business segments and promote the development of hydrogen energy projects.
By the end of 2019, the attributable installed clean energy capacity of the Group reached 7,510.1MW, accounting for 35.57% and a year-on-year increase of 2.69 percentage points. Clean energy generation reached 27,902,917MWh, equivalent to a reduction of 22,127,013 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which further optimized the energy mix of the Group.
Developing Efficient and Clean Coal-fired Power
We continue to strengthen air pollutants emission control by means of all-time and whole-process supervision and management; conduct benchmarking with coal-fired power units in the same area and with same boundary conditions, continuously optimize benchmarking models to improve scientific benchmarking and analysis of energy consumption of units and explore more ways of energy conservation.
In 2019, the per-hour average emissions were all below the limit. All power plants owned by the Group complied with relevant national environmental protection regulations, with no fines being imposed due to violations. The Group conducted 4 overhauls on Class A, 10 overhauls on Class B, and 54 overhauls on Class C. The operational rate of desulphurization facilities for the coalfired power generating units was 100%, and the efficiency ratio of desulphurization was 99.3%. The operational ratio of denitration facilities was 100%, and the efficiency ratio of denitration was 89.85%.
Supporting Clean Energy Development
We support the orderly, rapid and healthy development of clean energy. Through cooperative development of new energy projects, we have strengthened the construction of new energy systems and provided support for new energy. We have also made great efforts to explore the space for application of hydrogen energy and develop relevant technologies, and constantly expand the channels for energy development.
| Promote energy cooperation |
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Strengthened cooperation with local governments and strategic partners to combine the respective advantages of all parties, and develop more wind power, photovoltaic power, and other clean energy projects relying on the rich wind and light resources. |
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Cooperated with Shanghai Electric Power Company and Jiangsu Electric Power Company to complete the preparation of two special plans for the Yangtze River Delta energy eco-system integration planning and clean and low-carbon energy supply planning. |
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| Widen application of hydrogen energy |
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Signed the Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation in Green Hydrogen Power with the government of Yanqing District. |
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Commenced to construct the Group's first hydrogen refueling station—Yanqing Park Hydrogen Refueling Station, a small-sized multi-energy combined and zero-emission energy supply pilot system project. |
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Completed the preliminary feasibility study report for the hydrogen production plant (a supporting facility for 2022 Winter Olympics) in support of the government of Yanqing District in conducting project siting and feasibility study. |
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Protecting Ecological Environment
We orderly promote pollution control and ecological protection, implement environmental protection improvement actions, take timely measures to prevent pollution to ensure green construction, and advocate green life with practical actions
Creating a green environment
We have always insisted in the philosophy of green development, integrated ecological protection and orderly construction into our project construction management system. We have been committed to building green construction sites and taken practical actions to protect the natural environment.
Case: Making the river water clean again
Of the four rivers in Hunan, namely, Xiang River, Zi River, Yuan River, and Li River, Zi River had once been famous for its crystal clear water and abundant aquatic products. However, the issue of water pollution in the rivers have become severer and severer since the 1980s. Majitang Power Plant of Wuling Power organized professional personnel to clear the rivers, to centrally dispose of the wastes collected, to disinfect or deep bury dead animal bodies, and to remove any slag deposited upstream the dam or waste barrier at the water intake.
In 2019, the power plant organized 784 times of waste collection activities, and collected up to 8,200 m3 and 3,770 tons of slags, substantially removing all garbage heaps at banks and all wastes drifting on the river, protecting the ecological environment of Xiunvhu National Wetland Park downstream, contributing to creating a beautiful and livable environment, and making Zi River benefit the people better.
Case: Retrofit of shore power supply system of coal jetty for "zero emission"
The coal jetty of Wuhu Power Plant receives more than 2.5 million tons of coal per year and berths various types of coal ships for a total of 7,000 hours per year. Fuel oil power generation of coal ships has become a source of port and city contamination. Given this situation, Wuhu Power Plant vigorously implements the shore power supply system modification project, and puts two 40 kW three-phase power boxes into operation to replace the fuel oil power generation system as uninterruptible power supply for coal ships while parking at the shore, thus realizing zero air pollutants emission and improving the regional ecological environment continuously.
Advocating Green Life
We take our own actions to drive green social development and advocate the philosophy of green life, and strengthen the promotion of philosophy through various publicity activities.
Case: Holding environmental protection campaign
On the morning of 10 May 2019, China Power Huachuang organized its employees to hold an environmental protection activity, including walking around the lake and picking up garbage, to advocate low-carbon travel and focus on environmental protection, showing the spirits of youths in the new era. In this activity, the young people of Huachuang showed a positive life attitude, made their contributions to protecting the environment, and raised their awareness of environmental protection.
Activities held on the "World Environment Day"
On the 48th "World Environment Day", 5 June 2019, Fuxi Power Plant held publicity activities in the theme of "Get everyone involved in the blue sky protection campaign".
During the activities, Fuxi Power Plant posted environmental protection knowledge on the OA system, WeChat groups, QQ groups, and at the company's website, played the theme song and videos about the "World Environment Day" in public areas such as the canteen and office buildings, let all employees sign their names on the theme banner, posted environmental protection-themed posters, and organized environmental protection inspections in the plant area. These activities raised awareness of all employees on environmental protection. They all started to learn the theme of the "World Environment Day" and knowledge about environmental protection.
