These coal plants are meant as backups. They specifically invented peakable coal plants so that they can fulfill that role. They even optimized the hell out of

These coal plants are meant as backups. They specifically invented peakable coal plants so that they can fulfill that role. They even optimized the hell out of these coal plants: new Chinese coal plants are the most efficient in the world. These new coal plants also replace a bunch of older, more polluting plants. A couple of years ago in China it was cloudy, non-windy, and dry at the same time for an extended period of time. The energy transition isn't as simple as "build more solar, shut down coal".