Rising coal prices and domestic price controls have reduced stocks of coal in Chinese power plants, the world's second largest consumer of electricity, to a national reserve that would last less than two weeks, officials said.

Wang Yeping, vice chairman of the China Electricity Regulatory Commission, said the national power coal reserve fell to about 46.6 million tons on April 20, down 12 percent from the 53 million tons on hand in early March and sufficient for just 12 days of consumption.

Reserves in some provinces including Hebei, Anhui and Chongqing would last only seven days, said Wang.

Wu Chenghou, deputy chairman of the China Coal Trade & Development Association, said rising coal prices have hindered power company's purchases of coal. He told Caijing that power generators are waiting for the government to lower coal prices or allow electricity prices to rise in line with coal costs. While waiting, they are hesitant to increase coal stocks.

The government in January froze electricity prices amid coal price hikes in an effort to keep a lid on climbing consumer prices. However, the higher costs discouraged power generators.

As costs rose, about 41 percent of the country's power companies lost money in January and February. Combined losses for the industry reached 13.8 billion yuan, according to the China Electricity Council.

One source said the recent closures of many small coal mines also cut supplies, noting that more than half the coal used by the country's five leading power companies came from small mines. The shutdowns were tied to China's crackdown on illegal mines and the mergers of small mines with large state enterprises.

Coal-fired generators provide more than 70 percent of China's electricity. Wang said 88 percent of newer installed capacity still involves coal.

Wang said an unbalanced power industry structure and a mismatch of transmission line and power plant construction projects have harmed the development of China's power sector. He forecasted a 10 million kilowatt shortfall for China's electric supply this year and said southern China, especially Guangdong Province, may face temporary power restrictions during peak periods.