David Fickling, Columnist

China’s Coal Shortage Is About Cash: Elements by David Fickling

Generators’ stockpiles are tying up substantial sums of working capital.

August 24, 2022 at 11:17 AM UTC

David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering climate change and energy. Previously, he worked for Bloomberg News, the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.

Workers monitor the loading of coal at a depot in Shanghai. — Workers monitor the loading of coal at a depot in Shanghai.
Photographer: QILAI SHEN/BLOOMBERG NEWS

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Hi, I’m David Fickling and this is Elements, Bloomberg’s daily energy and commodities newsletter. We bring you a blend of commentary from Bloomberg Opinion writers and the best of our market-leading news coverage. If you haven’t signed up for delivery to your inbox, you can do that here.

How is it that China’s power plants are running short of coal, a year into a national mobilization plan to ensure security of supply?