State Council: No Extra Aluminium and Alumina Capacity Will be Approved in Key Areas

SHANGHAI, Nov 11 - The Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Deepening Pollution Prevention and Control were issued on November 2.

The Opinion points out it is necessary to promote the transition to a clean and low-carbon energy economy. Under the premise of ensuring energy security, the pace of coal reduction will be accelerated and renewable energy alternatives will be promoted. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the growth of coal consumption will be strictly controlled, and the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption will be increased to about 20%. Coal consumption in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and surrounding areas, and the Yangtze River Delta will be reduced by about 10% and 5% respectively, and coal consumption in the Fenwei Plain shall achieve negative growth. In principle, no new captive coal-fired units will be allowed, with the encouragement of clean energy alternatives.

According to the Opinion, outdated production capacity and excess capacity will be eliminated or neutralized in accordance with the laws and regulations. The government will promote the transformation of blast furnace steelmaking into electric arc furnace process. And the key regions are strictly prohibited from adding new steel, coking, cement clinker, flat glass, electrolytic aluminium, alumina and coal chemical production capacity.