Editorial E&C 35

actually, China is sitting on huge shale gas deposits. These could contribute to the country’s energy supply and offer an alternative to coal, on which China’s energy supply still depends heavily. But fracking is not only environmentally harmful, it is also extremely difficult in China. Geographical conditions make it cumbersome, expensive and even cause earthquakes. In Sichuan, earthquakes damaged some 20,000 homes in 2019, two people died, and protests ensued. China is nevertheless betting on fracking. Nico Beckert analyzes the prospects.