China will see a U-turn from power shortage to sufficient supply beginning this year with the operation of newly installed generating units, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

 

Power supply and demand in most areas will strike a balance, and a moderate surplus is even expected after 2007, said Zhang Guobao, vice minister in charge of the commission, recently.

 

China has long been suffering from short supply of electricity. Statistics of the commission show that the country was in short of 35 million kw of electricity in 2004 and 25 million kw in 2005.

 

This year will be a turning point and the short supply will be reduced to 10 million kw thanks to increased generating capacity.

 

China's installed generating capacity topped 500 million kw by the end of 2005, more than 200 million kw of which was added during the 2001-2005 period, Zhang said.

 

Power stations putting under construction last year will have a total generating units of 100 million kw.

 

However, in some places in north, east and south China, where rapid economic development has resulted in ballooning demand for power, tight supply will continue to be felt this year, the official said.

 

Those areas relying heavily on hydropower may even face a more severe situation during the dry winter-spring season, he added.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2006)