Chinese Coal Production Levels Drop

Coal imports also fell during the period, plunging by 37.7% from one year earlier to 69 million mt, the NDRC said in a report on its website. Coal consumption accounts for about 66% of China’s primary energy consumption. The country aims to bring its share of non-fossil energy to 15% by 2020 and 20% by 2030. China’s coal output fell in 2014 for the first time this century as a result of slowing economic growth, government efforts to reduce air pollution and increased investment in renewable energy. Analysts expect production to further decline this year.