CHINA TOPIX

11/02/2024 09:40:42 am

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China to Purchase Natural Gas Overseas to Curb Smog Menace

Purchasing natural gas from foreign countries to do away with coal is the recent measure introduced by China to fight against smog.

(Photo : Getty Images) Purchasing natural gas from foreign countries to do away with coal is the recent measure introduced by China to fight against smog.

As China continues to battle with hazardous smog, the country is turning into natural gas from other countries to do wean itself from coal dependence.

The Business Times reported that imports of liquefied natural gas are expected to increase by nearly 30 percent, according to an analysis presented by SCI International and North Square Blue Oak Ltd.

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"Imported gas, both seaborne and pipeline supplies, may account for 40% of the country's gas use by the end of the decade," a joint statement by the two firms read. "This is up by roughly a third from last year."

The new change is mainly triggered by the Chinese government's push to clear the air and also an inactive production pattern locally.

Nearly $360 billion is expected to be used by 2020 to invest in renewable energy as well as China's constant import of natural gas. This has raised a lot of question in regard to President Xi Jinping's many efforts to curb the air pollution that has infested the northern region of China.

"China will have to rely more on overseas markets. Foreign supplies are also cheaper because production outside of China is often more efficient," Tian Miao, a Beijing-based analyst at the North Square Blue Oak Ltd., said.

Coal was the main source of energy back in 2015 for the second World Power accounting for almost two-thirds of the energy.

Meanwhile, air sale is also an example of other initiatives that have been introduced in Beijing to assist with smog fight.

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