Guangzhou began to impose power restrictions on some users Wednesday after the city's power grid overloaded three times in the first week of 2005.

The city is experiencing a shortage of 500,000 to 600,000 kilowatts a day.

To cope with the shortage, power suppliers have staggered supplies to reduce the strain on the power gird at peak hours. Factories and companies with high electricity consumption have been asked to use electricity only between 11 PM and 8:30 AM.

Hotels, stores and restaurants have been also asked to reduce the use of lighting, air-conditioners, lifts and escalators.

The power companies said some of the power generators in Guangdong were being overhauled and the output of hydropower had decreased because of the prolonged drought, resulting in the power shortage.

However, suppliers said household supplies would not be restricted and there would be no blackouts in residential areas.

According to supply plans for 2005, hotels, stores, restaurants, company offices and other businesses in the service industry, will have to cut electricity use by 15 to 30 percent.

Last year, Guangzhou introduced for the first time a power consumption warning system that consists of white, yellow and red alarms. When a red alarm is signaled, indicating a serious overuse of power, high volume users will be instructed to abide by the staggered schedule. Those who breach the schedule will face further restrictions.

Guangzhou is building more power plants but power shortages will not be eased until 2006 when the new plants are commissioned. Balanced electricity demand and supply is expected in 2007.  

(Shenzhen Daily January 7, 2005)