BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) — Beijing’s last large, coal-fired power plant suspended operations yesterday, meaning the capital has become China’s first city with all its power plants fuelled by clean energy.

The Huanneng Beijing Thermal Power Plant was built and put into operation in June 1999. It has five coal-fired units with a total installed capacity of 845,000 kilowatts, and heating capacity of 26 million square metres.

Du Chengzhang, general manager of the plant, said it is an efficient and environmentally friendly plant, with advanced emission treatment equipment. The plant has provided important support to the stable operation of Beijing’s electric power system and the heat supply system.

After the suspension of the plant, about 1.76 million tonnes of coal, 91 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 285 tonnes of nitrogen oxide emissions will be cut annually.

According to a clean-air plan by Beijing from 2013 to 2017, the city will build four gas thermal power centres and shut down the four large coal-fuelled thermal power plants during the period.

Another three plants which used to consume over 6.8 million tonnes of coal each year were closed in 2014 and 2015.

Du said Huangneng will prepare to serve as an emergency heat source for the capital’s heating system after operations cease.

Three of the four gas thermal power plants have already been built and are in use.

Beijing has 27 power plants, all fuelled by clean energy, with a total installed capacity of 11.3 million kilowatts.

According to the city’s plan, Beijing will build no more large-scale power plants.