Yin He Zheng Quan·2025-05-12 11:07Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the power sector, specifically recommending stocks in thermal power, hydropower, nuclear power, and renewable energy [2][8]. Core Insights - The power industry is experiencing growth in thermal and hydropower sectors, while nuclear and renewable energy sectors face performance pressures. The overall net profit for the power industry in 2024 is projected to be 1,797 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.7% [11][12]. - The introduction of Document No. 136 is expected to facilitate a transition to high-quality development in the renewable energy sector, with a focus on efficiency and profitability rather than rapid expansion [2][8]. Summary by Sections Thermal Power - The thermal power sector achieved a net profit of 625.7 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 37.3%. The first quarter of 2025 saw a net profit of 206.3 billion yuan, up 9.0% year-on-year. This growth is attributed to a significant decline in coal prices, which offset the negative impacts of reduced electricity volume and prices [5][17][29]. - The average market price of coal has dropped to 640 yuan per ton as of May 8, 2025, a decrease of 286 yuan per ton or 31% compared to early 2024, indicating potential for improved profitability in the thermal power sector [5][29]. Hydropower - The hydropower sector reported a net profit of 563.21 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 17.6%. The first quarter of 2025 continued this trend with a net profit of 113.38 billion yuan, up 28.1% year-on-year. This performance is driven by favorable water conditions and reduced financial costs [32][33]. - The average on-grid electricity price for hydropower has shown resilience, with a slight decline of only 0.62% year-on-year, indicating strong market positioning [5][45]. Nuclear Power - The nuclear power sector's net profit was 195.91 billion yuan in 2024, down 8.2% year-on-year, primarily due to tax liabilities from previous years. However, excluding one-time factors, the performance remains stable. The first quarter of 2025 saw a net profit of 61.63 billion yuan, a decrease of 7.5% year-on-year [5][12]. - Long-term growth potential is highlighted by the expected commissioning of new units in 2025, which may mitigate the impact of declining electricity prices [5][12]. Renewable Energy - The renewable energy sector faced challenges with a net profit of -3.6 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a significant decline. The first quarter of 2025 also showed a negative trend with a net profit of 4.8 billion yuan, indicating ongoing pressures from unfavorable resource conditions and declining electricity prices [12][8]. - The implementation of Document No. 136 is anticipated to shift the focus towards high-quality development, emphasizing the importance of existing projects and cost management capabilities among leading firms in the sector [2][8].