Core Viewpoint - The commissioning of the No. 9 unit at the Beilun Power Plant in Ningbo, China, represents a significant advancement in coal-fired power generation technology, showcasing the potential for traditional fossil fuels to be transformed into efficient and clean energy sources, challenging the prevailing narratives in Western media regarding energy transition [3][10][12]. Group 1: Technological Advancements - The Beilun No. 9 unit utilizes "ultra-supercritical" technology, which operates under high pressure and temperature, achieving a power generation efficiency of over 48%, significantly higher than traditional subcritical units (approximately 38%) and the global average (around 33%) [6][8]. - This technology allows for substantial fuel savings, with the unit saving 120 grams of standard coal per kilowatt-hour generated, leading to an annual coal savings of over one million tons [8][10]. - The unit is equipped with advanced flue gas purification systems, resulting in emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides that are well below China's stringent "ultra-low emission" standards, comparable to natural gas power generation [8][10]. Group 2: Global Implications - The success of the Beilun No. 9 unit illustrates a pragmatic energy transition strategy, where China focuses on enhancing the cleanliness and efficiency of traditional coal power rather than a radical phase-out of fossil fuels [12][14]. - This approach challenges the Western narrative that equates environmental sustainability with the complete elimination of fossil fuels, highlighting the potential for technological innovation to reconcile energy security and carbon reduction [14][23]. - China's advancements in energy technology, exemplified by the Beilun No. 9 unit, position it as a global leader in efficient and clean coal power, providing a viable energy transition model for other developing countries [17][19]. Group 3: Strategic Silence in Western Media - The Western media's collective silence regarding the Beilun No. 9 unit stems from an understanding of its technological significance, creating a narrative dilemma as it contradicts their established views on energy transition [10][14]. - Acknowledging the success of the Beilun No. 9 unit would imply a recognition of China's advancements in energy technology, undermining the perceived technological superiority of the West [14][21]. - The ongoing global energy transition will require a reevaluation of what constitutes "clean energy" and effective energy strategies, as demonstrated by China's practical engineering solutions [23].