Scarcity is so severe officials even worry aloud that it could cause social instability among the 1.3 billion Chinese, the China Business Weekly reported.

"The imbalance between coal demand and supply will become more acute this year," the National Development and Reform Commission said, according to the paper.

"Easing the tightened coal supply will be the first priority for us," said the commission, the nation's top planning agency.

China is the world's largest consumer and producer of coal, which accounts for about two thirds of its energy needs.

The impact of the coal shortage could be global since soaring domestic demand could force the government to cut off export quotas and push up global prices, the paper said.

Last year, when China's economy expanded by 9.5 percent, its voracious demand was a key factor in causing international prices of coal to double.