A view of the Wuzing coal-fired power plant in Shanghai, China on the 28th. Shanghai = AFP Yonhap News
It has been pointed out that China’s coal stock for power generation is only two weeks’ worth. It is even worse for China, which is suffering from a power shortage and is facing heating demand in the winter.
Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP) said on the 29th, citing an analysis of Sinolink Securities, that “as of the 21st, the coal stockpiles of six major thermal power plants in China were only 11.31 million tons.” told If the coal had not been replenished in the meantime, it would have only been a week or so. According to the regulations, thermal power plants are required to stockpile coal for 20 days in the off-season, but this has not been met. The SCMP predicted that by February next year, there could be a shortage of up to 344 million tons of coal for power generation.
The number of regions with power supply restrictions due to coal shortages has increased to at least 20 out of 31 provinces in China. Previously, the three northeastern provinces experienced great inconvenience to residents due to power outages and water failures, and the southeast industrial area temporarily halted factory operations. In the case of Korean companies, the Orion plant in Shenyang, Liaoning Province and the POSCO stainless steel plant in Jiangsu Province have stopped production lines.
Last year, thermal power generation in China accounted for 68% of the total electricity supply. From January to August of this year, China’s thermal power generation increased 14%, while coal production increased only 4.4%. The supply and demand of coal is creaking as it bans Australian products, which account for half of all imported coal.
In particular, in the northeast region, the share of wind power generation in Liaoning Province is 17.4%, Jilin Province 18.3%, and Heilongjiang Province 19.8%, which is more than three times higher than the national average (6%). However, in the middle of this month, the wind speed has weakened, making it impossible to run the generator.
Eventually, rumors of a ceasefire broke out in the capital, Beijing. Some Chinese media reported on the 27th that “from September 28 to October 8, a blackout will be carried out sequentially in some areas of Beijing.” In response, the China National Outlook (our KEPCO) clarified the next day, saying, “This blackout is according to the inspection plan,” and “current urban electricity demand is sufficient and stable.”
However, for the National Day holiday (October 1-7), it is inevitable that all night light shows that have been promoting the festive atmosphere across China will be suspended. The city of Shenzhen and Guangzhou, in Guangdong Province, announced plans to cancel the event. The city of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, allows commercial facilities to operate only until 4 p.m. The China Electric Power Commission emphasized that “it will expand its coal procurement at any cost.”
Beijing= Kim Kwang-soo correspondent rollings@hankookilbo.com
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