Central China provinces forecast huge power shortages
Central China, including Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan and Henan, is predicted to see a maximum 6GW power shortage during summer peak this year and the figure may reach 12GW if coal supply continued to tighten or extreme weather occurs.
Strong demand, insufficient coal supply and low hydro output are thought the main reasons behind, added the source.
Coal stocks in the regions remained low at 10.12 million tonnes or eleven days on May 31, though climbed from 8.56million tonnes or nine days at end-April. Further stocking is difficult, given the tight railing capacity and supply in producing regions.
With 40% of its demand relying on hydro power, central China’s shortage is also intensified by weak hydro power output. Water volume at most hydro plants, excluding Three Gorges, witnessed a significant decline from last year, while some plants even recorded a 60% reduction.
Storage of key plants was 3.2bn KWh at the end of May, dropping 24% year on year. In contrast, power consumption of the region surged 15.8% year on year to 307.1bn KWh in the first five months, even though 4.07bn KWh was cut by rationing in the period.
(Sourced from Coal Times)