A northeastern province that was once one of China’s major coal and industrial hubs has launched a 600 billion yuan ($87 billion) plan to expand clean energy production. Liaoning province is planning six different energy bases of 10 gigawatts each, according to a report from state-owned CCTV. That’s enough combined generation to power all of Thailand. The different bases will include nuclear, offshore wind, pumped hydro energy storage, “smart energy” and two renewable energy installations, according to the report. Smart energy involves virtual power plant networks that can monitor and optimize energy generation. No timetable was given on the project’s completion. Liaoning was once one of China’s top industrial hubs and coal producing regions, helping the Communist Party modernize the economy after it took power in 1949. But as mines became depleted, coal production and the jobs that came with it moved west. In recent years, utilities have taken […]