In April 2023, the Coal Transition Task Force at Energy Foundation China (EF China) held a webinar about the future of coal power in China, as the country strives to secure its energy supply and achieve the carbon peaking and neutrality targets at the same time.

In her opening speech, Yu Han, Coal Transition Task Force Director, said that "green development" and "stable supply" have become the buzzwords for coal
after China's annual "Two Sessions" in March 2023. However, field investigations showed that energy-rich provinces hope to cultivate environmentally-friendly supply chains through more consumption of local green electricity, as well as new growth engines such as wind-solar-hydrogen-storage systems and microgrids. She also said that following the principle of "building the new before dismantling the old," China should curb investment in coal power, alleviate energy security anxieties, and reduce financial and credit risks caused by coal investment.

Zou Ji, CEO and President of EF China, said that from the economics perspective, the power issue involves carbon emissions, coal consumption, assets, investment, local debts, and other long-term problems, and thus requires policy solutions that address fundamental economic questions. He suggested improving the narrative building of coal power's future and calling for a guiding document for the power industry, which specifies short, medium, and long-term goals, pathways, and actions. He also said that economic analysis can be used for energy security discussions. At the macro level, China should analyze the implications of stimulating fiscal and monetary policies on the energy industry, as well as the economic impacts of the investment in coal power and coal mines; while at the micro level, China should focus on variables such as coal prices, electricity prices, financing costs, and the cash flow and reveal their impacts on different stakeholders, Zou Ji said.

Representatives from climate philanthropies also attended the webinar.