China’s thermal coal futures rose to a six-week high on Wednesday as traders bet on a supply crunch as lower hydro power output and forecasts of a summer heat wave spurred expectations of rising demand for the nation’s most-consumed fuel source. The most-active futures, for September delivery, on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange rose by as much as 1.9 percent to 643 yuan ($100.98) per tonne on Wednesday, their highest since Feb. 28. They have rallied 16 percent since mid-April. Demand has risen as coal-fired power plants will need to shore up inventory over the coming weeks as households in the southern provinces of Anhui and Fujian and in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai crank up air conditioners due to warmer-than-usual spring temperatures. “Tightness in the coal market is coming back. In northern China, anti-pollution campaign have curbed production and shortages has emerged in parts of […]