China's west-to-east power grids have now a capacity of 34 million kilowatts after new lines were put into operation in 2006, according to the latest report issued by the China Electricity Council (CEC).

The report said the construction of power lines got an investment of 210.57 billion yuan in 2006, up 38 percent year on year.

The investment has helped build about 35,144.7 kilometers of power lines.

The rapid expansion of the power grids has helped to ease some of the power shortage in China, but it is still imperative to continue expansion to satisfy growing demand for electricity, the report said.

The west-to-east electricity transmission program, which will continue to be built over the next five years, delivers power from the electricity-rich west to east China where much of the country's manufacturing industry is based.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2007)