China Burns More Fossil Fuels for Power as Coal Production Slips

China’s thermal power generation grew for a fourth straight month in April even as coal output fell, highlighting the challenges Beijing faces in continuing to buffer its economy from the global energy crisis stemming from the war in Iran.

Thermal power rose 3.1% in April from the year before to help meet growing demand while output from wind turbines and nuclear reactors fell. Coal production declined 1% during a month typically associated with seasonal maintenance.