Reuters.- China will ensure domestic energy supplies this winter, while ensuring that its climate change targets are met, a state planning official said on Wednesday.
The comments come as several regions are facing their worst energy crisis in years, fueled by shortages of fuels to generate power, record coal prices and rising demand for energy as manufacturing activity increases in the region. second largest economy in the world.
Some factories have been forced to suspend production over energy rationing, which some analysts believe could continue until early next year.
“China’s energy supply this winter and next spring is guaranteed,” Zhao Chenxin, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, told a news conference, adding that the long-term climate goals of China will also be met. China from hitting a carbon peak by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2060.
Thermal energy fuels, such as coal and natural gas, account for about 70% of electricity generation in China, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Zhao also said that the country will prohibit local governments from closing coal mines without authorization and will urge closed operations in its main mining hub – Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi – to fix their problems and resume production as soon as possible. Strong floods recently forced several mines to stop work.
China has reviewed some 976 coal mines and approved 153 of them, which may add 55 million tonnes of production in the fourth quarter, said Sun Qingguo, an official with the National Mine Safety Administration.
Follow the information about business and current affairs in Forbes Mexico
Daily coal production reached its highest level since February, at more than 11.2 million tons, while the total coal inventory available in the country can hold up to 15 days of use, according to another official.
Follow us on Google News to keep you always informed