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)