上游反内卷，下游反垄断

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive long-term outlook on thermal power, indicating a favorable investment rating for the sector [1]. Core Insights - The Energy Bureau has penalized five cases of collusion in power plant pricing, reflecting ongoing anti-competitive measures in the industry [4]. - Downstream manufacturing sectors, such as photovoltaic (PV) and machinery, are experiencing export growth, which is beneficial for the national economy [4]. - Moderate electricity price increases are seen as supportive of energy storage development and carbon neutrality goals, while lowering prices could hinder these objectives and miss global demand opportunities [4]. - The second round of electricity bidding may yield lower prices compared to the first round, with specific examples from Jiangxi and Jilin indicating price reductions [4]. - November saw a negative growth rate in thermal power generation, with industrial power generation showing a year-on-year increase of 2.7% [4]. - Fixed asset investment in the power and utilities sector grew by 10.7%, contrasting with a 2.6% decline in overall fixed asset investment [4]. - The retail power price spread in Anhui remains stable, with average retail prices at RMB 0.4182/kWh and wholesale prices at RMB 0.3970/kWh [4]. - Qinghai's spot power price is capped at RMB 0.65, which is hindering the development of energy storage solutions [4].