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The socio-political economy of electricity generation in China

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  • Valentine, Scott Victor

Abstract

In addition to providing a review of electricity generation developments in China, this paper features the development of a framework for understanding the socio-political economy influencing electricity market development. It documents and presents a critical evaluation of the social, technological, economic and political forces which influence electricity generation policy in China. The analysis provides insight into why China's electricity generation shopping basket is being filled with both coal and CO2-reduced electricity generation technologies. It concludes that installed capacity of hydro power, wind power, nuclear power and solar PV power will outpace government projections due to inter alia a proclivity on the part of the Chinese government to set conservative (and achievable) targets, waning apathy toward pollution associated with coal-fired power, progressive improvements in grid connection and resilience, increased economic viability of these alternative energy sources and government support for these industries as strategic commercial sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Valentine, Scott Victor, 2014. "The socio-political economy of electricity generation in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 416-429.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:32:y:2014:i:c:p:416-429
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.01.017
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    2. Feng, Zhong-kai & Niu, Wen-jing & Cheng, Chun-tian, 2019. "China’s large-scale hydropower system: operation characteristics, modeling challenge and dimensionality reduction possibilities," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 805-818.
    3. Lu, Shibao & Jiang, Yue & Deng, Weisheng & Meng, Xu, 2023. "Energy and food production security under water resources regulation in the context of green development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    4. Zeng, Ming & Yang, Yongqi & Fan, Qiannan & Liu, Yingxin & Zou, Zhuojun, 2015. "Coordination between clean energy generation and thermal power generation under the policy of “direct power-purchase for large users” in China," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 10-22.
    5. Yuan, Jiahai & Wang, Yang & Zhang, Weirong & Zhao, Changhong & Liu, Qian & Shen, Xinyi & Zhang, Kai & Dong, Liansai, 2017. "Will recent boom in coal power lead to a bust in China? A micro-economic analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 645-656.
    6. Zaman, Rafia & Brudermann, Thomas & Kumar, S. & Islam, Nazrul, 2018. "A multi-criteria analysis of coal-based power generation in Bangladesh," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 182-192.
    7. Valentine, Scott Victor & Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2019. "Energy transitions and mass publics: Manipulating public perception and ideological entrenchment in Japanese nuclear power policy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 295-304.

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