10
L. Ma et al.
Fig. 1.5 China’s energy allocation sankey diagram in 2015
to final services. In the diagrams, energy flows from left to right, with the thickness
of the flow representing the size of energy, and colors showing different energy types
and way of utilization. Since the two were drawn in the same format, a comparative
analysis of each stage of the two diagrams would provide systematic and in-depth
understanding of the recent trends of China’s energy development.
1.3.2.1 Energy Supply
Coal Remains the Most Important Primary Energy, yet Its Proportion Saw
a Significant Decrease.
A comparison of the two Sankey diagrams found that coal was still the main primary
energy in 2015, accounting for more than 60% of the total primary energy supply.
However, the biggest change in the structure of energy supply in that decade decreased
significantly by 6.4% of the proportion of coal. This is precisely what Chinese government had accomplished in accelerating clean and low-carbon transition of the energy
system when the country was challenged by the worsening environment and climate
change. Over the ten years, China’s 11th Five-Year Plan for Energy Development
and the 12th Five-Year Plan (NDRC 2013) both prompted the reduction of coal
consumption by formulating clear binding goals, such as a 20% reduction in energy
intensity and a 17% reduction in CO 2 emission intensity, etc. With strong political
will and consistent policy guidance, the plans had resulted in notable outcome.
L. Ma et al.
Fig. 1.5 China’s energy allocation sankey diagram in 2015
to final services. In the diagrams, energy flows from left to right, with the thickness
of the flow representing the size of energy, and colors showing different energy types
and way of utilization. Since the two were drawn in the same format, a comparative
analysis of each stage of the two diagrams would provide systematic and in-depth
understanding of the recent trends of China’s energy development.
1.3.2.1 Energy Supply
Coal Remains the Most Important Primary Energy, yet Its Proportion Saw
a Significant Decrease.
A comparison of the two Sankey diagrams found that coal was still the main primary
energy in 2015, accounting for more than 60% of the total primary energy supply.
However, the biggest change in the structure of energy supply in that decade decreased
significantly by 6.4% of the proportion of coal. This is precisely what Chinese government had accomplished in accelerating clean and low-carbon transition of the energy
system when the country was challenged by the worsening environment and climate
change. Over the ten years, China’s 11th Five-Year Plan for Energy Development
and the 12th Five-Year Plan (NDRC 2013) both prompted the reduction of coal
consumption by formulating clear binding goals, such as a 20% reduction in energy
intensity and a 17% reduction in CO 2 emission intensity, etc. With strong political
will and consistent policy guidance, the plans had resulted in notable outcome.