As winter intensifies, China underscores its commitment to ensuring regular heating for residents in its northern regions, aligning with the nation’s people-centric development philosophy and the high-quality advancement of the energy industry.
Given the vastness of China, significant disparities exist between its northern and southern regions in terms of natural resources, economic development, and lifestyle. To address these variations, a diverse range of heating methods tailored to local conditions has emerged over time, supported by the comprehensive development of energy resources such as coal, oil, natural gas, and renewable energy.
Over the past decade, China’s energy supply system has undergone a notable transformation, shifting towards green, low-carbon, safe, and efficient alternatives. This shift has substantially improved the overall assurance and convenience of providing heating during winter.
During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), clean energy sources replaced coal for heating in key northern cities and the Fenwei Plain, benefiting approximately 25 million households. Despite challenges like erratic natural gas supply in the middle of the 13th Five-Year Plan period, significant progress has been made in using natural gas for heating. China’s stable import volume, despite global market price fluctuations, is attributed to long-term contracts with supplying countries.
To ensure uninterrupted natural gas supply during winter, the National Energy Administration convened a mid-October meeting with major oil and gas companies and the national pipeline network company. Specific measures for key regions, critical timeframes, and essential aspects of natural gas supply were outlined, emphasizing the importance of meticulous planning.
State-owned oil and gas enterprises are urged to lead efforts in stabilizing supply and controlling prices by increasing domestic production and storage capacity. Additionally, coordination among pipeline network and distribution companies at all levels is essential for an undisrupted natural gas supply during winter.
Beyond natural gas, coal and electricity remain crucial for uninterrupted winter heating. China has strategically developed and safeguarded energy resources, optimizing advanced coal production capacity and promoting green development in major coal production bases.
The improvement in cross-regional transport systems ensures a smooth coal supply across the country. This has alleviated the tight supply-demand situation in the domestic coal market, stabilizing coal prices and guaranteeing sufficient supply for winter heating.
Despite a steady increase in total electricity consumption, the growth rate fluctuates due to the rapid expansion of new energy sources. The role of electricity generated from new energy resources has become prominent, contributing to improved security for centralized heating and electric heating.
In conclusion, China’s unwavering commitment to a people-centric approach, combined with strategic developments in natural gas, coal, and electricity, ensures a reliable and efficient supply of heating during the winter months.