China Energy steps up coal supply to areas facing scorching heat

State-owned China Energy Investment Corp is ramping up efforts to dispatch coal from production hubs such as Shaanxi and Gansu provinces to Sichuan province and Chongqing, where rising temperatures have made power demand soar and dried up reservoirs used to generate electricity.

China Energy's coal unit has diversified sources of coal supplies, including self-produced coals and imported coals, to Sichuan province and Chongqing, stepped up efforts coordinating coal transportation from Shaanxi and Gansu provinces to those areas, and increased number of transportation vehicles.

From Aug 1 to 17, a total of 190,000 metric tons of coal were sent to Sichuan province and Chongqing, up 89.6 percent year-on-year, the highest level in history, the company said.