Southwestern China's Guizhou province saw its operational coal mines hold a designed production capacity of 210 million tonnes per annum (Mpta) by the end of November, an increase of 43.45 Mtpa from end-2021, according to a news briefing late last week.

This substantial growth reflects Guizhou's efforts to position itself as a key player in China's energy landscape, driven by the central government's directive to develop a new comprehensive energy base in the province.

The province's coal industry has undergone a strategic restructuring, with significant progress in revising mine area planning.

Coal production has seen continuous growth, with the commissioning of open-pit coal mines such as Yu'nan, Xinda, and Huangjiashan. Guizhou reported raw coal production of 153 million tonnes in 2023, while in 2024, daily output exceeded 520,000 tonnes at its peak. Annual raw coal production for this year is projected to surpass 165 million tonnes.

Furthermore, Guizhou has 69 coal mines with a designed production capacity of 0.9 Mtpa or more, collectively contributing to 107 Mtpa. These mines represent 21.3% of the province's total coal mines and 50.2% of its total capacity – up from 16.3% and 42.2%, respectively, at the end of 2021.

In the power sector, the province's integrated energy framework of wind, solar, hydro, thermal, and storage continues to strengthen. New coal-fired power projects are advancing swiftly, with the Xinguang power plant connected to the grid and the first unit of the Puding power plant entering commercial operation. Construction has also begun on pumped-storage hydropower stations in Guiyang and Qiannan.

In 2023, Guizhou added 4 GW of new renewable capacity, with an estimated 4.5 GW to be added by the end of 2024. Notably, the province completed 1.95 GW of new energy storage capacity in 2023, setting national records in project scale, construction speed, and grid integration. Another 1 GW of energy storage capacity is expected to be added this year.

As of November 2024, Guizhou's total installed power capacity had reached 91.94 GW, including 39.99 GW of thermal power, 22.98 GW of hydror, 26.86 GW of wind and solar and 2.11 GW of new energy storage. Renewable sources account for over 56% of the province's total capacity, while the share of thermal power has fallen below 44%.

The province's annual shale gas output is expected to reach 335 million cubic meters, a surge of 295.64% compared to 2021. Coalbed methane production is projected to total 45 million cubic meters, up 40.05% increase from 2021.