The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has lowered the number of days that coal stocks can cover at power plants during peak consumption period from the original 15 days to no more than 12 days, the top economic planner announced on September 21.
In principle, the available days of coal storage at power plants should be kept at 7-12 days in peak coal consumption season. Power plants are asked to must keep the base line of at least for seven days' worth of inventories, the NDRC said.
The supply guarantee mechanism would be triggered, when the thermal coal stocks at power plants drop below the 7 days. Relevant departments and key enterprises will coordinate and guarantee coal source and transportation to help power plants raise stocks to the required level.
It is of great significance to improve the requirements of coal storage, moderately reduce the standard of coal storage in peak season, and keep the 7-day security line to mobilize inventory resources, stabilize coal prices, and improve the level of energy supply.
The ministry did not specify the requirement for the volume during off-peak season in the announcement, but had asked power plants to stock more than 20 days of inventories in slack months, according to a notice published by the authority in April this year.
(Writing by Emma Yang Editing by Tammy Yang)
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