China’s northeastern region is being hit hard by electricity shortages brought about by limited coal supplies. Han Jun, the Governor of Jilin province, one of the hardest hit in China, called for a surge in coal imports, while the China Electricity Council said that supply should be expanded “at any cost.”
The China Electricity Council said that power shortage has been brought about by a shortage of coal supply, increased greenhouse gas emissions standards, and strong demand. These have combined to push coal prices to record highs, causing power providers – unable to pass on the costs to the consumer – to ration supply.
Jilin Governor Han urged companies to fulfil their “social responsibilities” and “overcome the difficulties” caused by the rises in the price of coal.