China's power shortage reaches 14 gigawatts

subscribe

After reaching record-high load levels several times this summer, China's power shortage as of July 15 reached 14 gigawatts (GW), according to an official of the State Grid Corporation (SGC).

SGC data show that as of July, the firm's stockpile of power coal totaled 34.78 million metric tons, which is equivalent to about 10-11 days of consumption. There are 198 power plants with stockpiles to last less than seven days and 69 plants with enough coal for less than three days, and 53 plants that were forced to shut down because of the lack of coal.

The SGC covers 541 coal-fired power plants with a total installed capacity of 416 GW, which could be a major factor in the shortage of coal and power supplies; however, the current power-coal-stockpile situation is slightly better than it was in the beginning of the year. The provinces of Shanxi, Shandong, Liaoning, Hebei, Hunan and Shaanxi are facing the majority of the power-coal shortage.

China is working to ensure a secure power supply during the summer Olympics in Beijing, and the stockpiles for plants in the Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan region have been increasing.

"The major reason for the situation is that there is neither a complete benefit chain between the supply, transportation and procurement of power coal, nor an authority in charge to coordinate with various aspects of the industrial chain," the SGC said.

Related News

Brand New Renewable Technology Harnesses Electricity From The Cold, Dark Night

LOS ANGELES - Two years ago, one freezing December night on a California rooftop, a tiny light shone weakly with a little help from the freezing night air. It wasn't a very bright glow. But it was enough to demonstrate the possibility of generating renewable power after the Sun goes down.

Working with Stanford University engineers Wei Li and Shanhui Fan, University of California Los Angeles materials scientist Aaswath Raman put together a device that produces a voltage by channelling the day's residual warmth into cooling air.

"Our work highlights the many remaining opportunities for energy by taking advantage of the cold…

READ MORE
wind power

BNEF Report: Wind and Solar Will Provide 50% of Electricity in 2050

READ MORE

The Haves and Have-Nots of Electricity in California

READ MORE

wartsila-to-power-usas-first-battery-electric-high-speed-ferries

Wartsila to Power USA’s First Battery-Electric High-Speed Ferries

READ MORE

china three gorges dam

Shell says electricity to meet 60 percent of China's energy use by 2060

READ MORE