垃圾焚烧进入发展成熟期，地区间产能利用率存在结构性差异

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the environmental sector, consistent with the previous rating [2]. Core Insights - The waste incineration industry is entering a mature development phase, with structural differences in capacity utilization across regions. The average load rate of waste incineration plants in China is approximately 60%, indicating underutilization. However, provinces like Guangdong and Zhejiang have higher construction progress but still face low capacity utilization rates of 60% and 49% respectively, below the national average of 73% [18][19][22]. - The report highlights that the number of waste incineration plants in China has increased from 278 in 2017 to 925 in 2023, a growth of 232.7%. The waste incineration capacity has reached 1.035 million tons per day, surpassing the "14th Five-Year Plan" target [18][19]. - The report suggests that the "14th Five-Year Plan" emphasizes environmental quality and green low-carbon development, which is expected to maintain high prosperity in energy conservation and environmental protection sectors. The water and waste incineration sectors are seen as stable profit generators with positive cash flow [40]. Summary by Sections Market Performance - As of July 11, the environmental sector index rose by 3.17%, outperforming the broader market, with specific sub-sectors like environmental equipment increasing by 6.99% [9][12]. Industry Dynamics - Recent initiatives include subsidies for green electricity in Beijing and the establishment of zero-carbon parks to support carbon neutrality goals. These measures are part of a broader strategy to enhance renewable energy usage and promote green transformation [27][28]. Special Topic: Waste Incineration - The report discusses the structural differences in capacity utilization among provinces, with some regions achieving around 90% utilization while others lag behind. The average capacity utilization for listed companies is projected to be 107% in 2024, indicating efficient operations [19][22][26]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on high-quality operational assets in the water and waste incineration sectors, highlighting companies such as Huanlan Environment, Xingrong Environment, and Hongcheng Environment as key investment opportunities [40].