Shenyang to shut down 800 coal-fired furnaces this year

 Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province, plans to shut down 800 coal-fired furnaces this year, replacing them with natural gas or electric furnaces to reduce air pollution.

Statistics released by Shenyang Environmental Protection Bureau show that coal burning dust accounts for 60 percent of the city's PM 2.5 levels during the five-month heating period.

PM 2.5 airborne particles are smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter that can penetrate the lungs and harm health.

Pollution from motor vehicles, industrial production, together with dust, are blamed for the smog that haunts the city.

The energy replacement, this year alone, will help Shenyang reduce coal consumption by 1.5 million metric tons. It will also cut emissions by 16,000 tons of dust and 15,000 tons of sulfur dioxide. The days of blue sky is expected to hit 240 by 2017, a 49 day increase compared to 2014.

Shenyang is not the only city going through energy transformation.

China's energy consumption has gone through an average 7.9 percent annual growth over the past 14 years. Coal is still dominant in China's energy structure, accounting for as much as 66 percent of total energy consumption.

The country has realized the urgent need to fight air pollution. The central government has doubled its special funds for air pollution projects from 5 billion yuan ($798 million) in 2013 to 10 billion yuan last year.

Shenyang is just one of the pilot cities in the country's special project for eliminating pollutions caused by coal burning.

Meanwhile, local governments strive to use more substitute sources of energy. Beijing has banned coal use and related products in its six major districts. Shanghai aims to gain negative growth in coal consumption by 2017.

Shenyang's transformation in energy structure will not only clear the air but also increase its standard of living.

Li Gang, vice-director of Shenyang Environmental Protection Bureau said,"In our plan, the areas left by furnace sites will be transformed into green spaces for the public or we could use the areas to build parking lots or supermarkets. All of these measures will benefit our citizens."