China's coal-fired power plants are running at abut 60 per cent...

China's coal-fired power plants are running at abut 60 per cent of capacity, a figure that is about par with the long-term average but an increase on the past few years.

Power prices are controlled by the central government but coal prices depend on the market.

The key reason behind the central government's inability to control the price of coal is that China has moved from being a self-sufficient coal producer to a net importer of coal.

Despite probably the world's best efforts to crank up alternative power sources -- hydroelectricity is the second biggest contributor as well as nuclear, wind and solar -- China still relies on coal-fired plants for 80 per cent of its power.


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/bad-summer-of-power-shortages-threatens-china-economic-growth/story-e6frg90o-1226080200850