Eastern China’s Anhui Province is facing a coal shortage of eight million tons this year, the Anhui provincial government said July 4.
Anhui’s coal consumption is expected to top 126 million tons this year, while supplies are anticipated to reach 118 million tons, the Anhui provincial government said.
Surging demand from local thermal power plants is a major factor contributing to the shortfall, according to the government.
Anhui’s electricity output grew 15.8 percent year-on-year, to 65.99 terawatt hours (TWh), over the first five months of the year, according to government statistics.
Anhui began selling surplus coal to other regions in China several years ago, but the province is now looking to purchase coal to satisfy increased demand, the government said.
Interfax