World Energy Outlook 2007

Figure 10.13: China’s Hard Coal Trade (million tonnes)
400
300
200
million tonnes
100
0
–100
–200
–300
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
Coking coal exports Steam coal exports Coking coal imports
Steam coal imports Total net trade
10
Electricity Supply
Overview of the Power Sector
China has the second-largest electricity market in the world, behind the United
States. The country’s per-capita electricity consumption is approximately
one-fifth of the OECD average. Predominantly coal-fired, total electricity
generation reached 2 544 TWh in 2005 and installed capacity 517 GW.
Generation is unevenly distributed across the provinces. The ten largest
electricity-producing provinces account for 62 % of total generation.
A gradual process of reforms began in the mid-1980s, with the opening-up of
generation to investment by parties outside central government. In 1997 most
of the assets of the Ministry of Power (nearly all of the grid, as well as 40% of
generating capacity) were transferred to the newly formed State Power
Corporation. In 2002, the State Power Corporation was split into two
transmission companies and five power generation groups. State Grid
Corporation of China (SGCC) and China Southern Power Grid (CSG) cover
respectively about 80% and 20% of the national market. The five generation
entities were initially given around 20 GW of capacity each, with the aim of
ensuring that each had less than a 20% market share in any one region. Private
investments, often in joint-ventures with local or government-owned
corporations, are playing a growing part in generation.
Chapter 10 - Reference Scenario Supply Projections 343