China requires 48.68GW of coal-fired plants to upgrade

It is trying to meet ultra-low emission standards by 2018.

China eyes the upgrade of 48.68GW of coal-fired power utilities across the country in order to meet national ultra-low emission standards by 2018, The Economic Times reports.

According to a statement from the National Energy Administration (NEA), utilities in middle part of the country must complete the upgrade by the end of 2018, whilst western regions could extend the deadline to 2020.

Plants that fail to meet the emission standards by the deadline will be shut down, so central governments will be tasked to carry out inspections to urge local governments and utilities companies to comply.

The NEA also set energy-saving upgrade targets of 53.91GW at utilities in the country.