To tackle the problem of tight supply of power coal, ensure coal transportation and meet the domestic demand, the Ministry of Communications (MOC) recently issued a circular, requiring commuication department at various levels to pay high attention to transportation of such key materials as coal, grain and agricultural products, and urging timely transshipment of coal.

   Meanwhile, China will suspend coal export shipment during the Spring Festival and the NPC and CPPCC sessions.

   Statistics published by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) show that China exported 4.18 million tons of coal and imported 4.35 million tons in November 2007.

   With China imposing restrictions on coal export due to snow disaster, coal prices on the international market have risen.

   According to statistics of China Cenpower Energy Co. Ltd, power coal inventory of power plants nationwide can sustain for 7-8 days at present, lower than the 15-day inventory requirement.

   By January 25, 17 provincial power grids had reported tight power supply; nearly 40 million kW of generating units have stopped production due to lack of coal; inventory power coal nationwide was only about 21.42 million tons, less than half of the normal inventory, and the inventory is still decreasing at a daily speed of 300,000 tons. Coal inventory of 89 power plants can last for less than three days, and the installed capacity involved reaches 77.95 million kW, nearly one-tenth of the China's total installed capacity. Due to lack of coal, some 39.9 million kW of installed capacities have stopped production in China.