China cancels preferential rates for smelters

As Metal Bulletin reports, China has set a timeframe to gradually cancel preferential power rates for aluminium smelters and ferro-alloy producers, according to a statement from the National Development & Reform Commission.
The reduction in preferential rates, to be decreased over the coming year, forms part of a national drive to improve the country's energy efficiency, according to the statement, which is dated December 21 2007, but was only put up on the NDRC's website late on February 22.
The measure is expected to raise the power cost of aluminium smelters, but this will still depend on how strictly the provinces implement Beijing's order, market observers said.