China Energy, Seamwell to construct Inner Mongolia "clean coal" plant

China Energy Conservation & Environmental Protection Group (CECEP), a state-owned developer, will construct a US$1.5 billion “clean coal” electric power plant in Inner Mongolia with UK-based Seamwell International, Bloomberg reported. The contract is being signed at a UK-China summit attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and UK Prime Minister David Cameron. The plant on YiHe Coal Field will harvest energy from gasified coal deep underground, and will be the first commercial plant of its size in the world. It will be in operation by the end of 2014 or 2015 and generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity for about 25 years. China is promoting cleaner energy as it aims for a 2020 goal to cut carbon emissions per unit of economic output by 40% to 45% from 2005 levels. Upon approval, the companies will set up a joint venture in which Seamwell owns 49% and CECEP controls the remainder.