Price is key: China mulls ‘two-leg’ energy strategy centred on coal, renewables

Chinese energy companies have been on an LNG shopping spree this summer, striking several multi-decade supply deals worth billions of dollars. The deals underscore the view that natural gas is a major pillar of China’s energy transition, but not all industry experts share this perspective. At a recent conference in Beijing, some argued that while gas is important for the country’s immediate need for low-carbon energy, its long-term prospects are less assured as it has lost ground to coal and renewables and could struggle to stay competitive.