Xinhua reported that China first large coal electricity joint project, Huaneng Yimin Coal Electricity Corp aims to increase its annual coal output to 20 million tonnes this year.

Located in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the company a subsidiary under China leading power generator Huaneng Group now has an installed capacity of 2,200 megawatts and an annual coal output of 15 million tonnes.

Mr Yin Long general manager of Huaneng Yimin said the company is planning for its own coal to gas and coal to chemical projects to further diversify its business portfolio.

According to the report, rising coal prices have always been a headache for China's power generators. Last year, major power companies all incurred losses in their power generation business because of the sharp rise in coal prices.

Coal-fired power accounts for more than 70% of China total power generation. The country main power companies have all accelerated their development of coal mine projects.

(Sourced from Xinhua)