Currently, power supplies in China are falling short of local
demands by as much as 69.63 million kWh nationwide. 13
province-level power grids have taken measures to restrict
supplies, according to the National Videophone Conference on Power
Safe Production held on January 22. The State Electricity
Regulatory Commission (SERC) has urged various power producers to
ensure adequate production during the upcoming Spring Festival in
early February, and the parliamentary sessions in the first half of
March.
According to SERC Chairman You Quan, power demands are soaring
as winter deepens. Supplies cannot keep up with demands due to
limited coal production as well as difficulties with coal
transportation due to bad weather. Currently only 20.32 million
tons of coal have been stored for electricity generation. The
country is 33 tons short of what is needed on a daily basis; some
electricity generators have ceased operations due to fuel
shortages, You said.
In 2007, China experienced healthy growth in its power industry.
Generally speaking, last year the country achieved parity between
electricity demands and supplies. Plants generated as much as
3255.9 billion kWh, an increase of 14.44 percent from the year
before. Citizens consumed 3245.8 billion kWh, an increase of 14.42
percent. Electricity production maintained steady growth in spite
of great pressures from rocketing demands and frequent disasters.
In 2007, with the installed capacity increasing by 100 million kW
to 713 million kW, no serious accidents or casualties befell the
power industry and all dams connected to hydropower stations
maintained safe operations.
(China.org.cn by Pang Li, January 23, 2008)
