China power crisis forces ‘serious’ Beijing to order top coal producer to increase output

The cities of Wuhai, Ordos and Hulunbuir, as well as Xilingol League, have been asked to tell miners they may operate at stipulated higher capacities straightaway

It is the latest attempt to boost coal supply amid record-high prices and shortages of electricity that have led to power rationing across the country

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The 72 mines listed by the Inner Mongolia energy bureau, most of which are open pits, previously had authorised annual capacity of 178.45 million tonnes. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 12:17pm, 8 Oct 2021Updated: 4:06pm, 8 Oct 2021

Chinese officials ordered more than 70 mines in Inner Mongolia to ramp up coal production by nearly 100 million tonnes as the country battles its worst power crunch and coal shortages in years.

The move is the latest attempt by Chinese authorities to boost coal supply amid record-high prices and shortages of electricity that have led to power rationing across the country, crippling industrial output.

The proposed increase would make up nearly 3 per cent of China’s total thermal coal consumption.

In an urgent notice dated on Thursday, the Inner Mongolia regional energy department asked the cities of Wuhai, Ordos and Hulunbuir, as well as Xilingol League, or prefecture, to notify 72 mines that they may operate at stipulated higher capacities immediately, provided they ensure safe production.

An official with the region’s energy bureau confirmed the notice but declined to say how long the production boost would be allowed to last.

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