Changjiang Securities·2025-11-03 13:14Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the power industry [12] Core Insights - Since 2025, electricity demand has slowed, with a year-on-year growth of 4.60% in total electricity consumption for the first three quarters. The power sector's operating revenue decreased by 3.94% year-on-year due to adjustments in annual long-term contract electricity prices in several provinces. However, benefiting from a significant drop in coal prices, the net profit attributable to shareholders in the power sector reached 166.32 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.13% [2][22] - The performance of various sub-sectors within the power industry has shown significant differentiation, with thermal power profits increasing by 28.41% year-on-year due to cost improvements, while hydropower and renewable energy sectors faced declines of 4.76% and 16.80% respectively [2][10] Summary by Sections Thermal Power - In the first three quarters of 2025, thermal power generation volume decreased by 1.2% year-on-year, and the annual long-term contract electricity prices were adjusted in most provinces. Despite this, the significant drop in coal prices supported a 12.13% year-on-year increase in net profit for the thermal power sector, amounting to 79.39 billion yuan [6][57] - The third quarter saw a marginal improvement in thermal power generation due to a recovery in electricity demand, with net profit increasing by 28.41% year-on-year [6][26] Hydropower - The overall water inflow was lower in the first three quarters of 2025, leading to mixed performance among major hydropower companies. The hydropower sector's revenue grew by 1.62% year-on-year, while net profit increased by 2.13% [7][30] - In the third quarter, the hydropower sector faced a revenue decline of 1.63% and a net profit decrease of 4.76% due to uneven water inflow conditions [7][32] Renewable Energy - The renewable energy sector experienced weak performance due to unfavorable wind and solar conditions, alongside ongoing electricity price pressures. Revenue growth was limited to 0.62% year-on-year, while net profit decreased by 9.87% [8][30] - In the third quarter, net profit for the renewable energy sector fell by 16.80% year-on-year, with significant declines noted in nuclear power companies due to increased tax expenses and market price pressures [8][39] Power Grid - The power grid sector saw a slight revenue decline of 0.03% year-on-year in the first three quarters, with net profit decreasing by 4.78%. However, the performance pressure eased in the third quarter due to improved water inflow conditions [9][30] - In the third quarter, the power grid sector's revenue decreased by 0.82% year-on-year, with net profit down by 2.88%, but the decline was less severe compared to the first half of the year [9][39] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests a continued focus on quality thermal power operators and clean energy investment opportunities, highlighting companies such as Huaneng International, Datang Power, and China Nuclear Power as potential investment targets [10][51]