China is building 68 coal fired power plants

China is indeed building a large number of new coal-fired power plants, with reports indicating it has permitted the equivalent of about two new coal plants per week recently, which aligns with the claim of building dozens of such plants.

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The claim that China is building 68 coal-fired power plants is broadly supported by multiple recent reports. According to NPR and WLRN sources, China permitted more coal power plants last year than any time in the last seven years, equating to roughly two new coal plants per week. This would amount to over 100 plants annually if sustained, so 68 plants under construction or permitted is plausible within this context.

The Financial Times and Reuters articles confirm that China's coal plant construction surged to the highest level in nearly a decade, despite climate pledges. Power Magazine also notes China accounts for nearly all new coal-fired power plant construction globally, having added significant capacity in recent years. While exact numbers vary slightly depending on definitions (permitted vs. Under construction vs. Planned), the figure of 68 coal-fired power plants being built is consistent with the scale of China's recent coal expansion efforts.

Therefore, the claim is mostly true but should be understood as part of a larger trend of rapid coal plant approvals and construction in China rather than a precise fixed number.

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