Robust CO2-abatement from early end-use electrification under uncertain power transition speed in China's netzero transition

Abstract

Decarbonizing China's energy system requires both greening the power supply and end-use electrification. While the latter speeds up with the electric vehicle adoption, a rapid power sector transformation can be technologically and institutionally challenging. Using an integrated assessment model, we analyze the synergy between power sector decarbonization and end-use electrification in China's net-zero pathway from a system perspective. We show that even with a slower coal power phase-out, reaching a high electrification rate of 60% by 2050 is a robust optimal strategy. Comparing emission intensity of typical end-use applications, we find most have reached parity with incumbent fossil fuel technologies even under China's current power mix due to efficiency gains. Since a 10-year delay in coal power phase-out can result in an additional cumulative emission of 28% (4%) of the global 1.5{\deg}C (2{\deg}C) CO2 budget, policy measures should be undertaken today to ensure a power sector transition without unexpected delays.