• Heatwave in China threatens rice and cotton crops and strains the electricity grid

    International
    Heatwave in China threatens rice and cotton crops and strains the electricity grid

    China has so far escaped the severe power outages that occurred when there was a statewide coal shortage last year. The supply of coal is significantly higher now that miners were instructed to increase production to record levels, according to the authorities, who are confident that the current situation can be controlled. color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">

    color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">Digital Desk: As China attempts to boost
    industrial activity to bolster the economy, scorching temperatures are putting
    a burden on the country's electrical networks. Meanwhile, farmers are
    frantically trying to protect crops like rice and cotton from the effects of
    the intense heat.



    mso-themecolor:text1">In order to ensure that there is adequate electricity to
    run air conditioners during peak hours, certain locations have already seen
    record-high power demand. In southern China, the heat is threatening the crops
    of rice, fruit, and vegetables, while in Xinjiang, where cotton is grown,
    melting glaciers are causing floods.



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    mso-themecolor:text1">China's ability to maintain the operation of its
    industries is being put to the test by the heat, from the southern technology
    hub of Shenzhen to the eastern manufacturing region of Zhejiang, which borders
    Shanghai. Another indication of the dangers posed by increasingly regular
    extreme weather events brought on by climate change is the interruptions in the
    world's second-largest economy. This summer, heat waves have also devastated
    the US, Europe, and India.



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    mso-themecolor:text1">China has so far escaped the severe power outages that
    occurred when there was a statewide coal shortage last year. The supply of coal
    is significantly higher now that miners were instructed to increase production
    to record levels, according to the authorities, who are confident that the
    current situation can be controlled.



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    mso-themecolor:text1">The National Energy Administration highlighted a
    record-breaking 52 percent growth in power plant inventories to 170 million
    tonnes at the conclusion of the first half of the year at a briefing on
    Wednesday. But almost a month of consistently hot weather will have already
    depleted their supplies. According to China Coal Resources, inventories kept in
    six power plants in the coastal regions with a lot of industry fell to a
    four-year low last week with less than 12 days of usage.



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    mso-themecolor:text1">Most cities may experience increases in demand through
    August, but this year we anticipate a less severe power shortage, according to
    BloombergNEF analyst Hanyang Wei.



    color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">According to the China Meteorological
    Administration, southern China will experience yet another heat wave over the
    next ten days.



    mso-themecolor:text1">However, in the instance of Guangdong, the southern
    economic powerhouse, where this year's hot wave has brought demand far closer
    to the grid's limits, equipment breakdowns rather than a lack of coal have been
    the root of the issues, according to BNEF's Hanyang.



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    According to Li Fulong, an official at the NEA, China
    anticipates its energy demand to increase in the second half of the year
    following different initiatives to stimulate the economy, resulting in another
    spike in coal, gas, and electricity demand in the winter.