In recent months China has been hit by its worst electricity supply shortage of the past two decades.

The severe power shortage has already had a grave impact on the production lines of various major industries and on people’s lives, with power restrictions even imposed on households in some regions.

One of the factors behind the power crunch — in addition to soaring coal prices — was the Chinese government’s moves to restrict the operation of coal-fired thermal power plants under its decarbonization drive.