Taiwan's state owned power utility Taipower imported less thermal coal last year.

Mr Albert Jen deputy director of fuel department said that Taipower imported 24.9 million tonne last year with term contracts accounting for 86% and spot deals making up the rest. This compared with 28.7 million tonne in 2008, when term contracts represented 82% and spot deals the remainder.

The company purchased 28 million tonnes in 2007 of which 78% was through term deals and the rest through spot purchases. Indonesia provided 14.4 million tonnes of Taipower's coal imports last year down from 17.2 million tonnes in 2008 and 16.4 million tonnes in 2007. Australia supplied 7.74 million tonnes last year compared with 8.18 million tonnes in 2008 and 7.46 million tonnes in 2007. Chinese imports have steadily declined, falling to 2.38 million tonnes last year from 3.35 million tonnes in 2008 and 4.12 million tonnes in 2007.

(Sourced from Argus Media)