FRIDAY 8^th October, 2021: Reports from the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing has shown that there is a standing order for coal mines in the country to boost output as the country in recent weeks records an energy shortage that has cut the power of millions of homes and businesses. Also, several provinces across the country have been suffering from blackouts since the middle of last month.

 Since the country emerged from lockdown due to the effect of the global pandemic that started in China, the demand for electricity has been on the increase.

According to more information gathered from the Reuters news agency, North China's Inner Mongolia region has told more than 70 mines to boost annual output capacity by nearly 100 million tonnes. The area is reported to be the country's second-largest producer of coal.

The proposed increase in output of 100 million tonnes would amount to almost 3% of China's total annual thermal coal consumption.

The move is the latest attempt by authorities to increase coal supplies as prices hit record highs and electricity shortages have forced energy firms to ration power in large parts of the country.

According to the Chinese news agency, Caixin, three major coal-producing provinces however, have pledged to increase their coal production to counter the effect of the energy shortage.

There has also been records of energy shortages in recent weeks in some countries around the world which has raised consumer concerns. Some countries affected include the UK, mainland Europe and India.

UK consumers have been warned that household energy bills are set to rise sharply as prices surge on the wholesale market.