Chinese-Linked Overseas Coal Projects Continue Expansion
Report finds multiple coal power plants entered operation or pre-permit stages despite China's 2021 overseas coal pledge.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Energy
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A September 2026 report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air identifies numerous Chinese-linked coal power projects that have advanced, resumed, or entered pre-permit stages globally. These developments move forward despite China's 2021 pledge to cease building new coal plants abroad.
Why it matters
These ongoing projects risk locking in long-term CO2 emissions and air pollution, complicating international climate goals. The revival of these plants highlights a persistent gap between high-level policy commitments and active energy infrastructure development.
Specific unit developments include Banten Suralaya Units 9-10 and Sumsel-1 Units 1-2 now in operation, alongside the revival of Ekibastuz-2 Units 3-4 and Jambi-2 moving back into the pre-permit phase.
The players
Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air
An independent research organization focused on air quality and energy trends.
Lygend Resources
A mining and resources company involved in energy project development.
China Shenhua
A state-owned energy and mining company with global operations.
Tsingshan Group
A large-scale producer of nickel and stainless steel heavily involved in energy infrastructure.
Huayou Cobalt
A Chinese manufacturer specializing in cobalt and battery material production.
The details
Chinese-linked involvement in these projects spans the supply of specialized industrial equipment and technical backing. The advancement of these plants occurs through various mechanisms, including transitioning from active construction sites to operational generation, or the reinstatement of previously mothballed, non-operational facilities into pre-permit status. This cycle ensures these assets remain within the active development pipeline despite shifts in state-level policy.
Timeline
2021: China pledges to stop building new overseas coal plants.
September 2026: CREA releases its report on Chinese-linked coal projects.
The Tech Race
This development serves as a critical update to the status of China's 2021 overseas coal pledge. It indicates that corporate-led infrastructure projects are outpacing international policy commitments in several key developing energy markets.
Communities near these new or reactivated coal sites in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan will experience direct changes to local air quality. The long-term reliance on these plants suggests sustained regional carbon output for the coming decades.
The takeaway
The continued advancement of these power projects demonstrates that infrastructure inertia often overrides high-level environmental pledges. Watch for future emission data in Indonesia and Vietnam to see the actual carbon output of these newly operational units.
Further reading
Explore deeper trends in global power infrastructure on our Energy page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business & Human Rights.
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