As a kind of primary energy, the main utilization of coal is combustion. Coal combustion is the greatest atmospheric pollution source in China. In this paper, the authors analyze the evolution of the coal fired power plant/thermal power plant (CFP/TPP, denoted by CFP) in China from the past, when there were no measures taken against pollution, to the present, when the interest is aroused to provide depollution systems and installations. The results indicate that it is more efficient to introduce a desulfur installation rather than to introduce denox or decarbon systems for a CFP burning fuel with relatively high sulfur content. The plant is globally evaluated from the point of view of its energy ecological efficiency in this paper. Using the results of the analysis for the CFP, the authors similarly propose measures to improve the energy ecological efficiency of existing CFPs. To comply with the national norms regarding pollutant emissions for new units and those that are to be continued in use, particular measures should be taken to increase the ecological efficiency.