Local authorities of some Chinese provinces began to distribute the coupons for coal, so that citizens could give their homes, Bloomberg writes.
In Shocheze (urban district in Shanxi Province), the authorities have handed over coupons 47 thousand families. Each coupon is designed for two tons of subsidized coal so that it is enough for the winter and early spring.
The lack of fuel led to the increase in prices and the widespread restriction of electricity supply. It caused record mining (more than 12 million tons per day), which at the moment returned the market to balance. However, the district’s residents just in case began to stock with dried corn cobs that can be used on firewood.
Coupon issuing caused a stormy discussion, the Chinese reminded the Epoch of Mao, when families were forced to buy essentials for the quotas established by the government.
Meteorologists warn that in the coming months there will be cold weather and continuous drought. Futures for Chinese energy coal on the Zhengzhou commodity exchange this week increased by 11 percent.
The lack of coal has become one of the reasons for the energy crisis in China. In late September, the country began to disconnect electricity in residential buildings and in production due to lack of electricity.