NBS: In March, Large-Scale Industrial Raw Coal Production Remained Stable, Crude Oil Production Maintained Growth, and Electricity Production Grew Steadily

Published: Apr 16, 2026 10:36

Data from the NBS showed that in March, raw coal production by above-designated-scale industrial enterprises totaled 440 million mt, flat YoY, with daily average production of 14.21 million mt. In January–March, raw coal production by above-designated-scale industrial enterprises totaled 1.2 billion mt, up 0.1% YoY. In March, crude oil production by above-designated-scale industrial enterprises totaled 19.07 million mt, up 0.2% YoY, with daily average production of 615,000 mt. In January–March, crude oil production by above-designated-scale industrial enterprises totaled 54.8 million mt, up 1.3% YoY. In March, crude oil processing volume by above-designated-scale industrial enterprises totaled 61.67 million mt, down 2.2% YoY, with daily average processing of 1.989 million mt. In January–March, crude oil processed by above-designated-scale industrial enterprises totaled 184.31 million mt, up 1.1% YoY.

Energy Production in March 2026

In March, raw coal production by above-designated-scale industrial enterprises (hereinafter referred to as above-designated-scale industries) remained stable, crude oil production maintained growth, natural gas production growth accelerated, and power generation grew steadily.

I. Raw Coal, Crude Oil, and Natural Gas Production and Related Information

Raw coal production remained stable. In March, raw coal production by above-designated-scale industries totaled 440 million mt, flat YoY, with daily average production of 14.21 million mt.

In January–March, raw coal production by above-designated-scale industries totaled 1.2 billion mt, up 0.1% YoY.

Crude oil production maintained growth. In March, crude oil production by above-designated-scale industries totaled 19.07 million mt, up 0.2% YoY, with daily average production of 615,000 mt.

In January–March, crude oil production by above-designated-scale industries totaled 54.8 million mt, up 1.3% YoY.

Crude oil processing shifted from growth to decline. In March, crude oil processing volume by above-designated-scale industries totaled 61.67 million mt, down 2.2% YoY, with daily average processing of 1.989 million mt.

In January–March, crude oil processed by above-designated-scale industries totaled 184.31 million mt, up 1.1% YoY.

Natural gas production growth accelerated. In March, natural gas production by above-designated-scale industries totaled 23.4 billion m³, up 3.0% YoY, with the growth rate accelerating by 0.1 percentage points from January–February; daily average production was 750 million m³.

In January–March, natural gas production by above-designated-scale industries totaled 68.1 billion m³, up 3.0% YoY.

II. Power Generation

Power generation by above-designated-scale industries grew steadily. In March, power generation by above-designated-scale industries totaled 802.5 billion kWh, up 1.4% YoY, with the growth rate pulling back by 2.7 percentage points from January–February; daily average power generation was 25.89 billion kWh. In January–March, power generation by above-designated-scale industries totaled 2,378.2 billion kWh, up 3.4% YoY.

By category, in March, thermal power, hydropower, and solar power generation by above-designated-scale industries saw accelerated growth, while nuclear power and wind power shifted from growth to decline. Among them, thermal power generation by above-scale industrial enterprises was up 4.2% YoY, with the YoY growth rate 0.9 percentage points faster than that of January–February; hydropower generation was up 10.8% YoY, with the growth rate 4 percentage points faster; nuclear power generation was down 11.8% YoY, compared with a 0.8% increase in January–February; wind power generation was down 17.3% YoY, compared with a 5.3% increase in January–February; solar power generation was up 10.0% YoY, with the growth rate 0.1 percentage points faster than that of January–February.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Post-Holiday Cobalt Product Spot Prices Mostly Held Steady, Refined Cobalt Rose 3,500 Yuan, What Is Expected for May Prices? [Weekly Observation]
5 hours ago
Post-Holiday Cobalt Product Spot Prices Mostly Held Steady, Refined Cobalt Rose 3,500 Yuan, What Is Expected for May Prices? [Weekly Observation]
Read More
Post-Holiday Cobalt Product Spot Prices Mostly Held Steady, Refined Cobalt Rose 3,500 Yuan, What Is Expected for May Prices? [Weekly Observation]
Post-Holiday Cobalt Product Spot Prices Mostly Held Steady, Refined Cobalt Rose 3,500 Yuan, What Is Expected for May Prices? [Weekly Observation]
5 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] April Sodium-Ion Battery Market Review: Steady Momentum, Bottlenecks, and Opportunities Ahead
7 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] April Sodium-Ion Battery Market Review: Steady Momentum, Bottlenecks, and Opportunities Ahead
Read More
[SMM Analysis] April Sodium-Ion Battery Market Review: Steady Momentum, Bottlenecks, and Opportunities Ahead
[SMM Analysis] April Sodium-Ion Battery Market Review: Steady Momentum, Bottlenecks, and Opportunities Ahead
According to SMM data, compared with the rapid growth of cathode and anode materials, the electrolyte and battery cell markets maintained high YoY growth but were affected in the short term by factors such as cost control, capacity alignment, and the pace of end-use demand release, presenting an operational landscape of "stability with adjustments."
7 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] Sodium-Ion Battery  Cathode and Anode Supply-Demand Recovery and Capacity Expansion Accelerate
7 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode and Anode Supply-Demand Recovery and Capacity Expansion Accelerate
Read More
[SMM Analysis] Sodium-Ion Battery  Cathode and Anode Supply-Demand Recovery and Capacity Expansion Accelerate
[SMM Analysis] Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode and Anode Supply-Demand Recovery and Capacity Expansion Accelerate
As the sodium-ion battery scaling and commercialization process continues to accelerate, industry dividends are being released at a faster pace in 2026. April, as a key period at the start of Q2, saw a notable recovery in the sodium-ion battery cathode and anode materials market. Demand-side stockpiling willingness increased, capacity expansion pace accelerated, product mix differentiation became more prominent, and the industry as a whole moved toward a positive supply-demand synergy.
7 hours ago