Xinda Securities·2026-01-21 09:41Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the power industry, consistent with the previous rating [2]. Core Insights - The power industry is entering a new phase characterized by rational investment, market-oriented power generation, and spot pricing for electricity [2][3]. - The report highlights a significant cooling in new energy investments, while thermal power is expected to reach its investment peak by 2026 [5][17]. - The introduction of the "1502" document is expected to shift the electricity pricing model towards a more flexible, market-driven approach, enhancing the role of spot trading [3][29]. Summary by Sections 1. Power Industry Investment and Capacity Situation - Investment in new energy has notably decreased, while thermal power investment continues to grow. The peak for thermal power investment is anticipated in 2026 [5][17]. - Monthly capacity additions show a stark contrast before and after the "531" policy, with thermal power gradually approaching its production peak [5][10]. 2. New Trends in Electricity Reform for 2026 - Market-oriented power generation is gaining traction, with competitive bidding results for new energy projects being favorable. Nuclear power is also increasing its market entry ratio [3][29]. - The "1502" document has loosened the previous pricing model, significantly increasing the weight of spot trading in electricity transactions [3][29]. 3. Analysis of the Second Half of Electricity Reform - New energy capacity additions are expected to slow significantly, while thermal power generation is projected to see substantial growth. The report estimates an increase in thermal power generation from a decline of 37.8 billion kWh in 2025 to an increase of 135.6 billion kWh in 2026, representing a growth rate of 2.20% [3][10]. - The annual long-term contract price decline is more significant than expected, creating potential profit opportunities for thermal power in the spot market [3][10]. 4. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that the challenges faced by thermal power may reverse, with a focus on high-quality leading companies and integrated coal-power operators. The expected stabilization of coal prices and significant growth in thermal power generation are key factors for this turnaround [3][10][29]. - Recommended companies include major state-owned enterprises in the power sector and integrated coal-power operators, which are expected to show resilience and high dividend attributes [3][10].