Hua Yuan Zheng Quan·2025-07-20 11:54Investment Rating - The investment rating for the utility sector is "Positive" (maintained) [4] Core Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of core assets in Hong Kong's electric power equipment sector, highlighting the strong approval of coal power installations and the ongoing demand for pumped storage [5][6] - The report indicates that the approval of coal power installations is expected to remain high, with approximately 31 GW approved in the first half of 2025, maintaining levels similar to 2024 [17] - The report notes that the growth in electricity load is expected to outpace overall electricity consumption growth, indicating a long-term trend that will rely heavily on conventional power sources [18] - The wind power sector is experiencing a slowdown in the rapid scaling of turbine sizes, which may lead to improved profitability for wind turbine manufacturers [22][34] Summary by Sections Electric Power Equipment - The report highlights the strong approval of coal power installations, with 90 GW, 83 GW, and 78 GW approved in 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively, and an expectation to exceed 80 GW in 2025 [17] - The demand for pumped storage is projected to remain high, with significant approvals in recent years, indicating a robust market for this segment [21] - Key companies to focus on include Harbin Electric, Dongfang Electric (H), and Goldwind Technology (H), along with A-share counterparts [6][34] Electricity Production - In June 2025, the industrial electricity production reached 796.3 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 1.7%, with a daily average of 26.54 billion kWh [35] - The report notes a narrowing decline in hydropower output and an acceleration in solar power generation, while wind and thermal power growth has slowed [35][38] Coal Industry - In June 2025, coal imports decreased significantly, with a year-on-year decline of 25.9%, attributed to low domestic coal prices [43] - The report indicates that domestic coal production is at a turning point, with a year-on-year increase of 3.0% in June, but with pressures from low prices affecting production levels in key regions [57] - Recommendations include focusing on leading coal companies with high long-term contracts, such as China Coal Energy and China Shenhua Energy [43]