December 01, 2025 /CEC/ - The China Electricity Council (CEC) has officially launched the origin-based component of the China Electricity Coal Index (CECI), providing a more accurate reflection of mine-mouth thermal-coal prices purchased directly by power generators in major production regions.

Developed in line with government requirements and industry demand, the new index follows the Administrative Measures on Price Index Behaviour for Key Commodities and Services (Order No.22/2024) and the CECI Administrative Measures. After internal trials and expert review, it will be published at the end of each month beginning November 2025.

Drawing solely on verified procurement data from more than 300 thermal-power plants, the index adopts a volume-and-price model to capture real transaction levels and procurement patterns. Its introduction completes full-chain coverage across the CECI system, which already includes Coastal, Caofeidian, Import, PMI and Provincial indices.

The National Development and Reform Commission has incorporated the origin index into the pricing mechanism for medium- and long-term coal contracts. The benchmark is expected to support standardized pricing, strengthen risk management for enterprises, and improve the government’s capacity for targeted market supervision.