Why are the Chinese building at least one coal fired power station a week?

Answer 1

Howdy, my name is Belinda who is a Chinese living in China. It's my first time stepping into Yahoo answers---UK. Nice to meet you all!^_^

First of all, I can't verify your statement is accurate or not, however, I don't think the number of power plants is directly bond up with the air pollution problems.

As far as I know, Chinese goverment has promulgated many laws to regulate the concentration of stack gas. Every coal power plants MUST install CEMS(continuous emission monitering system) which 24 hours monitors the SO2,O2,Moisture,Dust,CO,CO2,NO-NO2-NOx elements. Such kind of CEMS connected with Sulfur/Dust Removal system and DCS. Therefore, we can make sure both the ambient and the source air quality is under control. Please don't worry too much about it.

On the other hand,I must admit that due to Chinese large population, we have to build a large amount of power plants to supply people electricity, right?

Thank you for your concern about China. I hope my answer can make some sense.^_^

Answer 2

A lot of industry has moved to China. They need to generate the power for that and the once impoverished country is living the American dream. And they have more dwellings and appliances now. For every business that closes here they have many open over there. The coal fired power plants of today are a lot cleaner burning than ever before. The ones we have here are old and should be replaced with new ones too.

Answer 3

China has a population of around 1 billion, that's an awful lot of people to keep warm. Even more factories to pump out cheap,plastic toys to the Western World. Manufacture cheap school shoes, clothes and shoddy gadgets. Their economy is growing at 5% a year, compared to our 1.9%, thats a big difference, almost double our output. If Gordon Broon strangles our economy with more red-tape, H&S inicitives, political-correct ideology, then in a few years time, China will be manufacturing at 7%, which will need 2, New coal-fired power stations. But we have to get rid of 100watt light-bulbs. Carbon-footprints! - Tax and political power if you ask me!.

Answer 4

The Chinese have 1.3 billion people and a booming industry that all need power. They have a lot of coal available in their own land. The Chinese climatologist have studied their past climates and temperature records and determined that the Roman Warming Period, 2000 years ago, was the warmest climate in their records.

Answer 5

Geography and need for power in the worlds fatest growing country.

China has lots of coal and is expanding its industry very quickly, thus increasing the need for power. Put these together and building coal fired power stations is the obvious answer.

BTW, unless we start building power stations in the UK, we will face serious blackouts soon, we almost had one last winter.

Answer 6

They are cheaper than nuclear power plants. And if I remember correctly China is loaded with coal. Why is the U.S. still building coal power plants?

Answer 7

It is the humm about energy.
They do have excessive coal and they do need energy for the new technology. China is going to be the super power shortly.
No interst for the time being to take care of environment:
first, she wants to lead in industry
second, she wants to pop out of poverty
third, all other cointries need her contribution al low prices.
fourth, who cares about her there in the easten world
fifth, time has not come to raise voices against her environmental destruction.

Answer 8

China's situation (and that of other countries trying to industrialize now) is more complex than our own. They have always acknowledged the danger posed by pollution (including Global Warming). At the same time they are unwilling to delay their progress at the whim of countries who have themselves been less aggressive and forthcoming in their policies. They now have the worst pollution issues in the world, as the USA did less than a decade ago. They recently executed their official responsible for environmental safety for failing to do his job. That suggests to me that they take the matter seriously. Unfortunately the bellicose posturing of the USA has caused them (and all the currently industrializing countries) to remain more aloof from cooperative efforts than they would prefer.

Answer 9

Maybe they mis heard the news, and thing that there's TOO MUCH coal left in the world?!

Answer 10

they need more power and have huge reserves of `cheap` coal.