Jan. 30, 2007 (China Knowledge) – China's coal, electricity, oil and transportation sectors will tend to have an overall balance between supply and demand in 2007, said the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Monday.

China, which experienced blackouts for the fourth year in 2006, will see an easing in the tight supply situation for electricity.  However, some regions will still be affected by blackouts during peak periods due to limited coal transport capacity and a lag in grid construction, among other factors.

Supply of refined oil will be in "a tight balance mode" with possible shortages in certain areas, the commission said.

The commission also said that railway transportation capacity will still be tight in the northeast, northwest and southwest regions as transportation capacity of other main railways is unlikely to increase. Still, the transportation capacity of two railways, the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway and the Houma-Yueshan Railway was expanded by 70 million tons last year.