CHINA’S PREMIER, LI KEQIANG, HAS CALLED FOR INCREASED PRODUCTION OF COAL TO STAVE OFF MASS BLACKOUTS, AS EARLY SUMMER HEATWAVES HAVE PROMPTED RECORD ELECTRICITY USAGE.
REPORTS SAY AUTHORITIES HAVE AGAIN ISSUED HIGH TEMPERATURE WARNINGS FOR ABOUT A DOZEN PROVINCES ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PROVINCES.
ALSO, STATE MEDIA REPORTS THAT ELECTRICITY DEMAND HAS GONE UP 8.8% IN NORTH-WEST CHINA COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR, AND 3.2% IN NORTHERN CHINA.
THE PREMIER, LI KEQIANG, HAS URGED TAPPING INTO ADVANCED COAL CAPACITY, SECURING POWER SUPPLY, AND RESOLUTELY PREVENTING POWER OUTAGES AMID THE PEAK SUMMER SEASON.
LI HAS ALSO CALLED FOR GREATER “EFFORTS TO RAMP UP EFFICIENT AND CLEAN COAL POWER PRODUCTION”.