NDRC keeps most rules unchanged for 2026 MLT steam coal contract agreements

China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic planning agency, has released its guidance for the signing of medium- and long-term (MLT) thermal coal contracts for 2026, with most requirements broadly consistent with those applied for 2025.

Under the 2026 guideline, contracting parties again include all operating coal enterprises on the supply side and all unified-dispatched public power plants on the demand side, as well as other facilities responsible for ensuring residential power and heating supply. These mirror last year's arrangements, Mysteel Global notes. The NDRC also