Coal prices continue to rise

Since 2008, coal prices have continued to rise. The anthracite prices rose by 7.7% year-on-year in the first seven months of this year. Due to the high coal prices caused by the thermal power companies operating difficulties, urgently need to pay more attention to the relevant departments. This is what the reporter learned from the statistics department.

Statistics show that in recent years, the degree of marketization of coal sales nationwide has been getting higher and higher. Since 2008, the price of coal purchased by enterprises in Shijiazhuang has been rising. Among them, the year-on-year increase of anthracite coal in 2008-2010 was 35.23%, 10.27%, and 7.26%, respectively, and it was up 7.7% year-on-year from January to July this year.

“Coal prices continue to rise, and the rate of increase is large. However, the electricity price and the heating price of power companies are set by the state. Although the price increases, the increase is far lower than the purchase price of coal.” The relevant person in charge of the statistics department told Reporter: At present, many thermal power generation and heating companies in Shijiazhuang City have been unable to bear the cost pressure caused by the increase in coal prices. The difficulty of business operations has been aggravated, and some thermal power generating companies have even been in a state of long-term losses. It is understood that from 2008 to 2010, the total profits of the electric power and heat production and supply industries in Shijiazhuang City were -1.118 billion yuan, -1.556 billion yuan, -349 million yuan, and from January to July this year was -0.29 billion yuan.

"Electric and thermal companies have suffered long-term losses. Some small-scale thermal power companies have even faced the risk of capital chain fractures and closures. The government and related departments should pay attention to these issues and take active measures to resolve them." The responsible person stated that electricity is The pillars of economic development in the city are closely related to industrial production and people’s life. The special nature of its industry determines that heating prices and electricity prices cannot go completely to the market. Therefore, to solve the plight of thermal power heating companies, the relevant departments should consider the impact of rising coal prices on the production costs of electric heating companies when formulating electricity and heating prices, and appropriately give power companies preferential pricing policies.

Expert analysis believes that actively promoting the merger and reorganization of coal-fired power and implementing integrated coal-fired power management are the realistic choices for the power companies to get out of trouble and turn losses into losses. Therefore, in the development process of the electric power industry, Shijiazhuang City should also pay attention to persisting in “pressing large and small pressures” and actively conducting shutting down of small thermal power units. In addition, while the government and relevant departments are increasing their support, power and heating companies should further strengthen scientific and technological innovation, actively apply large-capacity, high-parameter, and high-efficiency clean coal power generation technologies, and carry out technological transformation of existing equipment. Strengthen management to enhance unit efficiency and achieve energy saving. At the same time, it will increase the automation level of production and the level of management modernization in power plants, and promote the integration of machine, electricity and furnace control technologies and plant-level automation systems. Through wind monitoring, improved soot blowing and online economic analysis systems, timely adjustments can be made. Strictly use coal to enter the factory, ensure the quality of coal, accurately determine the trend of coal prices, and purchase high-quality coal at favorable prices at favorable times.