Beijing will have to temporarily cut off electricity to some
users this summer in order to ensure a supply for large blocks or
big users that are of more importance. Vice Mayor Zhang Mao issued
the warning on Tuesday. Detailed restrictions have not yet been
determined.
This summer, nearly two-thirds of the country’s 31 provinces,
municipalities and autonomous regions are reportedly ready to
restrict electricity use.
Beijing has not had to cut the power supply since 2002, but it
faces a shortage of 1.2 million kilowatts for the peak demand
period this summer. Demand is predicted to be up to 9.5 million
kilowatts, 14 percent higher than in the same period last year.
In the summer of 2002, the capital was forced to cut off power
temporarily to three lines for civil use, said Tang Songhan, a
press officer with the local electricity supply authority.
Officials from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development
and Reform said basic living needs of local residents, especially
urban residents, will be given priority, and Vice Mayor Zhang said
that electricity for residents, schools, army, hospitals, railway,
government organizations and water and gas facilities will not be
influenced by the new policy.
But, he said, “We are facing a stern electricity supply
situation now.”
Uncertainties in the supply chain pose a big threat. About 60
percent of the capital’s electricity comes from other provinces,
and 24 percent of the country’s provinces, municipalities and
autonomous regions are facing their own power shortages this
year.
In the past, other provinces and municipalities would switch off
their electricity to guarantee Beijing’s steady supply in summer.
Last year, 16 provinces and municipalities restricted their own
electricity consumption.
Beijing should play its part and contribute to nationwide
conservation efforts, Zhang said.
The municipal government plans to adopt different electricity
rates depending on the hours of the day. The new pricing system
will apply mainly to enterprises, commercial facilities and
hotels.
Electricity prices between 11 PM to 7 AM are expected to be 20
percent cheaper than the average rate, while usage during peak
hours--between 7 AM and 6 PM--will cost more. Exact charges have
not been fixed yet, but a pricing plan has been submitted to the
National Development and Reform Commission for approval.
Meanwhile, some 500 energy-consuming enterprises in Shanghai are
expected to shift their operating times to later hours this summer
owing to power shortages.
Local government departments, office buildings and large retail
facilities may have to keep the temperatures of their air
conditioning systems at no lower than 26 degrees C to help save
power.
Despite a power shortfall that officials predicted in April
would run to 2 million kilowatts, senior officials said Wednesday
that the city could ensure that supply will roughly meet demand in
the summer, a period of “seasonal power shortfalls.”
“We think we can smoothly pass the peak summer days of power
demand, and there won’t be as critical a power supply situation as
last year,’’ said SMEC Deputy Director Le Jingpeng Wednesday.
The metropolis suffered severe power shortages last summer and
winter, and there were a few cases where industrial power in
certain sectors was cut temporarily.
According to Le, Shanghai’s local power supply capacity will be
adding over 1 million kilowatts this year. Two new generators were
installed in the city’s northeastern Waigaoqiao area, bringing the
city’s total power generating capacity to more than 10 million
kilowatts. Shanghai’s plan is to almost double that capacity by
2010.
Apart from the local supply, Shanghai has gained support from
the State Power Grid and East China Power Grid as well as other
areas in China, Le said.
The scheduled completion of over 50 power transmission projects
before the arrival of peak use days will contribute to the safe
operation of the local power grid. These projects are included in
the city’s 20 billion yuan (US$2.4 billion) investment in current
projects to improve local power infrastructure.
While forecasts from meteorologists indicate that the weather
this summer will be better than last year, hopefully reducing
pressure on Shanghai’s power supply, other plans like artificially
inducing rainfall have also been arranged if needed.
(China Daily June 10, 2004)