Experts want single super-ministry for China’s energy industry

China urgently needs a single “super-ministry” to manage its fractured energy policies.

The China Energy Society, an academic community of prominent energy researchers, recommended establishing an all-encompassing energy ministry to take control of China's energy industry currently overseen by different government agencies.

It said the creation of a new super-ministry is not only feasible, “. . . but also an urgent need.”

It suggested the new super-ministry take responsibility for all other energy-related duties outside of those handled by the National Development Reform Commission, and divided among over 10 ministries.

It proposes the super-ministry be responsible for all public services and the supervision and reform of energy-related activities. Those duties will include the design of energy-related taxes and subsidy policies, market entry approval, supervision of energy trading and the operation of China’s electricity, coal, oil and gas industries.

Industry experts believe the super-ministry will accelerate the needed reforms in China’s energy sector. China is the world's largest energy producer, consumer and carbon dioxide emitter.

China formed its first energy ministry in 1988 but dissolved it in 1993, partly because of its low efficiency.