Source: CCTV.com

01-28-2008 10:36

Senior Chinese government departments are making every effort to ease big disruptions to power supplies, as a result of prolonged bad weather. Ministries and commissions say they will give top priority to transporting coal, in order to ensure stable power supplies.

Senior Chinese government departments are making every effort to ease big disruptions to power supplies, as a result of prolonged bad weather.

The State Electricity Regulatory Commission says persistent bad weather has worsened power shortages. A 220-kilovolt transmission network has been largely destroyed resulting in blackouts in 41 cities and counties.

The regulator is urging companies to accelerate repair works, and do their best to ensure enough coal supplies.

Meanwhile, the National Development and Reform Commission says it has set up an economic coordinating mechanism, and a daily supervision bulletin system to balance supply and demand. It's also urging local governments to improve power supply plans to limit power supply to high-polluting and over-producing enterprises.

The Ministry of Communications is also urging transport companies to deliver coal demanded by domestic thermal power plants if needed.

Dai Dongchang, Official of Ministry of Communications said "All coal should be off-loaded as soon as they arrive at the ports. Priority should be given to coal ships both in sailing and unloading. The ministry will work to prevent delays in coal transportation."

In response, the railway ministry has also raised daily coal transport levels, up 30 percent from a year ago to help fuel power generators.

Heavy snow since mid-January in central, eastern and southern areas has affected tens of millions of people. So far, 17 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have suffered blackouts. Power grids in central China's Hubei,Hunan provinces and south China's Guizhou and Guangdong provinces have been seriously damaged.

Editor:Xiong Qu