The government has greenlighted the use of coal-fired power in regions with poor wind and solar resources.

China Energy Group will add over 6GW of new ultra-low emission coal-fired capacity this year as it bids to meet growing electricity demand, Reuters reports.

The company also expected to build another 5GW of low-emission capacity next year, said Xiao Jianying, the head of the state-run firm’s coal-fired power department.

“China still has quite a big demand for electricity. The government now supports regions with poor wind and solar resources to use coal-fired power ... it’s a more practical measure, as gas is still too expensive,” said Xiao.

China Energy operated coal-fired plants with a total capacity of 175GW at the end of 2018, 77.4% of its total capacity and about 10% of the entire country’s capacity.

Xiao said the company would gradually shut down small and polluting coal-fired power units and replace them with efficient ones, noting that total capacity would continue to increase but at a slower rate of growth.