Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration issued the "Coal Industry Development 15th Five-Year Plan", which outlines plans for coal production, transportation, and comprehensive utilization, calling for accelerating clean energy substitution in mining areas and deeply integrating green and low-carbon technologies with the coal industry.
Regarding energy substitution in mining areas, the plan proposes actively promoting equipment such as electric drive drilling rigs and electric shovels in key coal production processes. In open-pit mine transportation, the plan will expand the application of electric heavy-duty trucks and hydrogen-powered mining trucks in an orderly manner, gradually replacing traditional diesel heavy-duty trucks; while underground coal mines are encouraged to promote electric trackless rubber-tyred vehicles for mining.
The plan also specifies the implementation of an old boiler replacement action in mining areas, promoting electric boilers, gas oxidation heating boilers, and clean and efficient pulverized coal boilers according to local conditions to reduce coal consumption in mining areas. In mining areas where conditions permit, charging and battery swapping stations and hydrogen refueling stations will be reasonably arranged, and pilot programs for upgrading green transportation service infrastructure in mining areas will be promoted.
In terms of clean energy industry integration, open-pit mining areas with development conditions can build supporting wind power, PV, and electrochemical energy storage projects. The plan supports the creation of a number of demonstrative low-carbon mining area parks by relying on key sites such as mining area electromechanical maintenance workshops, transportation and logistics centers, and coal preparation plants.
In addition, the plan encourages coal-to-liquids and coal chemical projects to expand the use of green electricity, promote the substitution of green hydrogen and the synergistic application of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies, further reduce carbon emission levels in related production processes, and facilitate the transition of the coal industry towards cleaner and lower-carbon operations.
