Six departments: improve the clean and efficient use of coal, strengthen the leading role of the benchmark level and the binding effect of the benchmark level

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on December 17, six departments including the National Development and Reform Commission issued a notice on the “Benchmarking Level and Benchmark Level for Key Areas of Clean and Efficient Coal Utilization (2025 Edition)”, which mentions that, based on the development status and potential of the coal industry, coal consumption for coal-fired power generation heating and coal-to-natural gas will be included in the scope on the basis of previous energy efficiency benchmarks and benchmark levels in key areas. Benchmark advanced levels in the field of clean and efficient coal at home and abroad, as well as advanced energy efficiency index values and the strictest pollutant emission requirements in existing national and local policies and standards, and improve the benchmark level for clean and efficient use of coal. The benchmark level for clean and efficient use of coal is scientifically determined by referring to entry values or limit values in current national standards and relevant indicators clearly defined in national policy documents. Benchmarking levels and benchmark levels in key areas of clean and efficient use of coal will be adjusted dynamically according to industry development and standard system revisions to strengthen the leading role of benchmarking levels and the binding effect of benchmark levels.

The original text is as follows:

The National Development and Reform Commission and other departments issued “Clean Coal

Efficient use of benchmark levels and reference levels in key areas

Notice of “(2025 edition)”

Development and Operation [2025] No. 1499

Provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, development and reform commissions of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, departments in charge of industry and information technology, departments of ecology and environment (bureau), housing and urban-rural development departments (committees, management committees, bureaus), market supervision bureaus (departments, committees), energy bureaus:

In order to implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council and promote the rise of the coal industry from low-end to high-end and coal products from primary fuel to high-value products, according to the “Opinions of the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments on strengthening the clean and efficient use of coal” (Development, Reform and Operation (2024) No. 1345), relevant business parties have now issued the “Benchmark Levels and Benchmark Levels in Key Areas of Clean and Efficient Use of Coal (2025 Edition)”. The relevant matters are notified as follows.

1. Expand the scope of key areas and strengthen the guiding role

Based on the current development status and potential of the coal industry, coal consumption for coal-fired power generation and heating, coal-to-natural gas, etc. are included in the scope on the basis of previous energy efficiency benchmarks and benchmark levels in key areas. Benchmark advanced levels in the field of clean and efficient coal at home and abroad, as well as advanced energy efficiency index values and the strictest pollutant emission requirements in existing national and local policies and standards, and improve the benchmark level for clean and efficient use of coal. The benchmark level for clean and efficient use of coal is scientifically determined by referring to entry values or limit values in current national standards and relevant indicators clearly defined in national policy documents. Benchmarking levels and benchmark levels in key areas of clean and efficient use of coal will be adjusted dynamically according to industry development and standard system revisions to strengthen the leading role of benchmarking levels and the binding effect of benchmark levels.

2. Implement transformation and upgrading of classification, and focus on improving the level of utilization

Encourage and guide industry enterprises to implement project transformation and upgrading in line with actual and long-term development. For new coal development and utilization projects and inventory projects where conditions are available, the level of clean and efficient utilization should be promoted, and efforts should be made to reach the benchmark level. For stock projects where the level of clean and efficient utilization is lower than the current benchmark level, guide enterprises to carry out clean and efficient coal utilization transformation in an orderly manner, accelerate the promotion of enterprise pollution reduction and carbon reduction, and resolutely eliminate backward production capacity and poor processes in accordance with the law and regulations. For projects requiring clean and efficient use of coal, all regions should clarify the transformation, upgrading and elimination time frame (generally no more than 3 years) and annual plans without affecting the supply of electricity or heat, upgrade to above the benchmark level within the specified time limit, and strive to reach the benchmark level; eliminate projects that cannot be completed on schedule. Strengthen the development, promotion and application of technical equipment for clean and efficient coal utilization processes, carry out evaluations of clean and efficient coal utilization projects, and actively promote the construction of technological transformation and upgrading projects.

3. Strengthen policy support to accelerate transformation and upgrading

Make full use of existing policy tools and working mechanisms to increase market regulation and supervision for the clean and efficient use of coal. Use existing central funding channels to actively support eligible key projects for clean and efficient use of coal. Improve and improve relevant financial policies, and guide and attract social capital to participate widely in the clean and efficient use of coal. Guide banking financial institutions to increase credit support for eligible green and low-carbon transformation projects in accordance with the principles of marketization and rule of law. Implement preferential policies on special equipment, technological transformation, comprehensive utilization of resources, etc., speed up the pace of enterprise transformation and upgrading, and raise the overall level of clean and efficient use of coal.

Relevant departments in all regions should fully understand the importance of promoting the clean and efficient use of coal, summarize work experience in a timely manner, strengthen coordination and integration based on local reality, adhere to the system concept, strengthen implementation of responsibilities, refine work arrangements, step up promotion efforts, accelerate the clean and efficient use of coal, and help promote the construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system.

This notice was implemented on the date of publication, and the “Notice of the National Development and Reform Commission and Other Departments Issuing the 'Benchmark Levels and Benchmark Levels for Key Areas of Clean and Efficient Use of Coal (2022 Edition) '” (Development Reform and Operation [2022] No. 559) was abolished at the same time.

National Development and Reform Commission

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

Ministry of Ecology and Environment

Ministry of Housing, Urban-Rural Development

General Administration of Market Regulation

National Energy Administration

November 24, 2025

This article was selected from “National Development and Reform Commission Official Website”, Zhitong Finance Editor: Xu Wenqiang.