Boston, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/24/2013 -- BMI View: Whilst China power sector is set to remain in a league of its own, storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. According to BMI's Country Risk analysts the Chinese economy is likely to enter recession over the coming months. Despite record new credit issuance in recent months, the manufacturing sector has once again entered contraction, and high household savings rates by no means suggest that consumer demand will remain unscathed. As such, a slowdown in power demand appears to be on the cards. Moreover, we note that rising coal prices are once again a key threat to the profitability of power generation companies operating in the domestic segment.

In terms of fuel mix, conventional thermal sources plays a key role and are expected to continue to dominate electricity generation in the coming years, as many projects under construction or planned will use coal or gas and China intensifies its efforts in prospecting and exploitation of conventional oil and gas resources. In particular, while other sources of power will play increasingly important roles, coal-fired sources of electricity dominate, and will continue to dominate, the electricity mix in China over the course of our 10-year forecast period. Yet, rising coal prices are once again a key threat to the profitability of power generation companies operating in the domestic segment and Chinese utilities have placed collective pressure on the government to moderate proposed restrictions on imported coal, highlighting the difficulties China has in balancing the interests of its mining and power sectors as growth slows.

View Full Report Details and Table of Contents

Aside from short-term considerations, and whilst it should be kept in mind that China will remain in a league of its own, macroeconomic and sector-specific factors also point to an equally moderate long-term outlook. In particular, we highlight that while the energy white paper published in October 2012 should not be taken at face value, the substantial emphasis the document puts on conservation, energy efficiency and emissions reduction is certainly significant, and could influence the electricity markets.

That said, some more positive recent developments in the market include:

- Guodian Group has secured approval from the Chinese environment ministry for the construction of a 314 metre-high hydroelectric dam on the Dadu River in the Chinese province of Sichuan. The hydroelectric plant, which will be the tallest facility of its kind in the country, is likely to entail a total investment of US$4bn. The plant will have a power generation capacity of 20GW. It should be noted that the plant, expected to be completed in more than 10 years, received approval despite environmental concerns.

About Fast Market Research
Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. Representing the world's top research publishers and analysts, we provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available. Our unbiased, expert staff will help you find the right research to fit your requirements and your budget. For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.

Browse all Energy research reports at Fast Market Research

You may also be interested in these related reports:

- Global Power Survey 2013-2014 - Market Trends, Marketing Spend and Sales Strategies in the Global Power Industry
- Global Power Survey 2013-2014 - Market Trends, Buyer Spend and Procurement Strategies in the Global Power Industry
- Europe Renewable Energy Policy Handbook 2013
- Brazil Power Report Q4 2013
- Power Quarterly Deals Analysis: M&A and Investment Trends - Q4 2012
- Power Quarterly Deals Analysis: M&A and Investment Trends - Q2 2013
- Power Quarterly Deals Analysis: M&A and Investment Trends - Q1 2013
- Power Monthly Deal Analysis - February 2013: M&A and Investment Trends
- Power Monthly Deal Analysis - March 2013: M&A and Investment Trends
- Power Monthly Deal Analysis - January 2013: M&A and Investment Trends