Plan to strengthen foundational energy industry

Editor's note: The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration have jointly released the coal industry development plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period. The two authorities spoke to Xinhua News Agency, elaborating on the key priorities of the plan. Below are excerpts from the interaction. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

The plan aims to modernize the coal industry through nine key tasks. It seeks to optimize the spatial layout of coal development by enhancing the east-west tiered pattern, systematically advance production capacity, coordinate resource development in key regions, and improve cross-regional coal transportation.

The plan also focuses on increasing access for better resource development, fostering high-quality production capacity, phasing out outdated operations and advancing deep resource extraction to accelerate structural optimization and industrial upgrading.

Coal is the foundational energy source in China. It is integral to both livelihoods and energy security, and the plan aims to strengthen production, transportation, storage and sales. This includes maintaining stable production and supply, optimizing the transportation network, accelerating storage development, and enhancing emergency response capabilities.

Advancing intelligent coal mining is crucial, with plans to develop a tiered intelligent system and accelerate the application of artificial intelligence in various scenarios.

To support the coal sector's green and low-carbon transition, the plan emphasizes green mining practices, energy conservation and carbon reduction throughout the process. It also aims to increase the use of coal bed methane.

The plan promotes clean alternatives to coal, enhances commercial coal quality, accelerates the upgrade of coal-fired power and systematically expands the use of coal as an industrial raw material.

Scientific and technological innovation is vital for the coal sector. This involves bolstering industry-focused research, advancing cutting-edge technologies and equipment, and enhancing the innovation system.

Safety management is essential in coal production. The plan calls for strengthened safety infrastructure, enhanced hazard prevention and control, and improved occupational health protections for miners.

Finally, the plan seeks to promote the modernization of the coal industry by improving the coal market, refining regulatory frameworks, promoting reform and development of coal enterprises, and actively participating in international exchanges and cooperation.

The plan outlines five major projects to ensure its implementation: developing bases to guarantee coal supply, upgrading intelligent coal mining, integrating coal with new energy sources, improving commercial coal quality, and innovating coal technology and equipment. It also proposes strengthening the management of coal mining areas, enhancing unified capacity management, improving industry standards, and refining band-based coal price regulation policies.

A dedicated road map has been formulated to accelerate the exploration and development of coal bed methane and the extraction and utilization of coal mine gas. This road map balances secure and stable energy supply with a green, low-carbon transition and promotes a coordinated approach to gas utilization and methane emissions control. It sets targets of 26 billion cubic meters of coal bed methane output and 6.5 billion cubic meters of coal mine gas utilization by 2030.

The key tasks include stabilizing and boosting production at Shanxi's Qinshui coal bed methane field, accelerating output growth in the eastern Ordos Basin, advancing the industrialization of coal bed methane in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and actively increasing resource development in other areas.