Datang Nanjing Xiaguan-3 Power Station - Coal Power Plant in Nanjing, China

Datang Nanjing Xiaguan-3 power station is a coal-fired power plant located in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. With a capacity of 1,320 MW, it is a large-scale facility within the country's extensive coal power generation fleet. The plant plays a significant role in meeting the electricity demands of the Nanjing metropolitan area and the broader East China grid. The plant operates on coal as its primary fuel, a dominant energy source in China's power sector. Typical coal plants of this scale in China employ subcritical or supercritical boiler technology. The facility is subject to China's national emission standards, including limits on SO2, NOx, and particulate matter, as well as carbon intensity targets under the country's climate commitments. As a coal-fired plant, Datang Nanjing Xiaguan-3 contributes to local air quality concerns, particularly in the densely populated Nanjing region. Its operation aligns with China's dual goals of ensuring energy security and transitioning toward cleaner energy sources. The plant's capacity underscores its importance in the regional power supply, supporting industrial and residential consumers.

The plant's coal combustion releases CO2, SO2, NOx, and particulate matter, contributing to local and regional air pollution. Nanjing is a major city with high population density, so emissions from the plant can affect public health. China's regulatory framework, including the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, sets emission limits for coal plants. The facility's age and technology type influence its environmental footprint, with older subcritical units being less efficient and more polluting than supercritical or ultra-supercritical designs.