China's power output increased in the first half of April as many industries resumed operations.

 

Power generation increased by 1.2pc on the year in 1-15 April, China's top economic planning agency the NDRC said. The increase reversed a year-on-year decline of 6.8pc in power output in the first quarter.

 

Restarts at more businesses and factories have lifted power consumption, with electricity use in the non-ferrous metals, pharmaceutical, electronics, chemicals, steel-making and machinery industries now reaching or exceeding year-earlier levels, the NDRC said. Railway haulage volumes have largely returned to normal, and civil aviation, ports and water transportation services are all operating normally.

 

The NDRC approved eight projects in March, mostly in the transportation and energy sectors, representing a total investment of 77.3bn yuan ($10.9bn). This could help boost the country's economy and raise power demand. (Argusmedia)