Hohhot spends big to replace coal in rundown areas

Workers load the car with semi-coke briquettes in the Yuquan district of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Jan 2. [Photo/nmgnews.com]

Hohhot is committed to spending large amounts of money on replacing traditional coal with semi-coke briquettes, also known as clean coal, throughout households in rundown areas of the city.

As measures to control air pollution have removed most industrial polluters from Hohhot, dealing with household coal burning and providing replacement fuel sources has moved up the agenda.

The local government has made it clear that residents in rundown areas can use alternative fuel sources such as semi-coke briquettes for heating if they have been unable to replace their coal-fired heating systems with ones fueled by more ecofriendly sources.

Semi-coke briquettes — a type of coal-powered energy that produces less pollution — are currently the most popular substitute for traditional coal, as they are far cheaper than the alternatives like gas and electricity and can produce more heat.

The government has invested 17.12 million yuan ($2.63 million) in replacing traditional coal, with total planned investment exceeding 70 million yuan.

According to the plan, households in rundown areas can replace their traditional coal with clean coal for free after registration, and get 50 percent off when buying clean coal. 

The plan covers the 2017 to 2018 period.

As of Jan 2, more than 2,890 tons of clean coal have been delivered to 15,512 households in the Yuquan district of the city.

Controlling household coal use is expected to reduce annual average PM2.5 levels and significantly improve the air quality in the city.