China's Coal Demand To Hit 2.5 Billion Tons In 2007 - Xinhua

[hatrack]

China's coal demand will rise next year to 2.5 billion tons, said Ou Xinqian, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission in Beijing on Wednesday.

"The domestic coal production can meet the demand," said Ou at a conference. "But shortages may occur in some regions due to inadequate railway transportation capacity."

Ou said the coal demand in east China would be met next year, but the crunch may occur in central and western China. China's coal production capacity stands at 2.35 billion tons, with 800 million tons of capacity under development, Ou said.

This year's coal supply increased 9 percent year-on-year to 2.4 billion tons, satisfying the demand. But Ou warned of overcapacity and overtime operation in some coal mines.

EDIT

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2006-12/28/content_769843.htm

[NNadir]

1. Ow. n/t.

[hatrack]

2. Good thing we're planning on building a carbon-sequestering coal plant, huh?

Don't know where yet, or when it'll come on line, or if it'll work . . .

But, hey, good thing we're planning on building a carbon-sequestering coal plant, isn't it?

:eyes:

[Dead_Parrot]

3. I can smell the air getting cleaner already

Good job, too. It was touch-and-go for a moment, but now we're all saved. Hooray!

[NNadir]

5. I hope it's for an IGCC plant. The carbon dioxide from them is way better than ordinary

carbon dioxide.

[Ready4Change]

4. Not hitting solidly. Just a glancing blow in passing.

China's demand is just going to continue climbing. If they can secure the energy supplies they'll be the USA of the 21st century.

But which energy, or which energy mix, and will it be enough to meet the demands of their boom?