China State Railway Group said on Sunday that it has significantly expanded transportation of coal across the country ahead of the upcoming winter and spring seasons, as Chinese authorities stepped up efforts to ensure coal supply to address power shortages.
As of October 20, 363 power plants across China had reserves of 35.04 million tons of coal directly transported by rail, an increase of 18 percent compared with the end of September, according to data released by China Railway.
The data also showed that on average coal inventory could last 16.6 days, compared to 14 days at the end of September. Entering September, the country saw severe power shortages in some areas, caused by soaring coal prices and policies aimed at reducing energy consumption.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, said on September 29 that rail operators and responsible authorities should prioritize coal transportation to secure supplies for domestic power generation.
Since October, China Railway has opened green channels for fast loading and transportation, in order to guarantee supply for winter heating and normal operation of the economy and society, as the government has stepped up efforts to ensure a stable supply of coal and crack down on soaring prices.
According to data, from October 1 to 20, China Railway loaded 52,357 cars of coal per day, an increase of 17 percent year-on-year.
Moreover, rail operators have strengthened coal security for power generation and heating in the Northeast, as well as ensuring the transportation of imported coal via the ports of Manzhouli and Suifenhe in Northeast China.
From October 1 to 20, coal loaded on average each day in Northeast China reached 11,145 cars, a year-on-year increase of 8 percent.
On October 20, the State Council, the cabinet, called for an all-out effort to ensure coal production and transportation for residential heating, as well as cracking down on coal market speculation, a clear and firm signal to make livelihoods the national priority.
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