China's coal reserves in 353 major power plants have hit a record 29.33 million tonnes, according to Ministry of Railways (MOR) figures on Friday.

This amount was compared to normal reserves of 23 million to 24 million tonnes in the previous years, experts said.

"Reserves are sufficient to ensure current electricity generation. Although some small plants are still short of coal due to various reasons, the severe power coal shortage of the previous months is expected to ease as a whole," said Zhang Zhonghua, an Orient Securities analyst.

Experts attributed the surging stockpile to a weaken demand for power as the traditional summer peak season had passed. The country consumed 319.8 billion kwh of power in August, down 1 percent from 322.5 billion kwh in July.

The country's efforts in enhancing coal transport capacity and shutting down small-scale thermal coal plants also contributed to the rise, the ministry said.

Last year, China shut down small coal-fired power generators with a total capacity of 14.38 million kwh. The figure accounted for 28.76 percent of the total capacity the country planned to close during the 11th Five-year Plan (2006-2010), according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2008)