Coal news and updates

China to Add 300 Million Tons of Coal Capacity This Year

 Top Chinese policymakers reiterated the importance of coal for the country’s energy security and laid out a plan to add 300 million tons of coal production capacity this year.

The State Council, China’s cabinet, pledged Wednesday to support coal production and projects to ensure the country’s energy supplies in a meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang. The expansion would represent about 7% of China’s projected coal consumption for this year.

The official spotlight on coal reflects policymakers’ concerns about energy supplies after last year's power shortages, analysts said. It also underscores China’s rising energy demand and declining coal imports amid uncertainties caused by the war in Ukraine, they said.