Beijing: Despite efforts to increase coal production China is still 'very likely' to be a net importer of coal in 2008, and possibly in 2009 as well, said Guo Yuntao, managing director of the China Development Research Center of Coal Industry, Forbes reported.
At an industry function Guo said China's coal output this year should rise to 2.55 bln tons from 2.38 bln in 2006. Output in 2010 is expected to reach 3 bln tons, he said.
Coal imports are expected to sightly exceed exports this year.
Chinese coal output will peak at around 4 bln tons per year between 2020 and 2030, Guo said. Whether output declines after that will depend on the development of renewable energy sources.
Guo said coal for power generation is driving demand, with over 70 pct of the country's power produced by coal-fired plants.
He said China continues to encourage foreign companies to participate in technological cooperation ventures with domestic coal producers, mainly relating to coal gasification and liquefaction, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) and carbon capture and storage (CCS). [4/12/07]
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