China could save power by 60 to 80 percent by promoting energy-efficient lighting products, a senior official with the National Development and Reform Commission said in Shanghai Monday.

Electricity used by lighting accounted for about 12 percent of the total electricity demand in China, said Zhao Jiarong, director of the Environment and Resource Conservation Department of the NDRC, at an international conference on green lighting that opened here Monday.

With the country's rapid development, China has become world's second largest energy consumer. Last year 24 province experienced blackouts due to insufficient electricity supply.

"Improving the energy-efficiency of lighting is an effective way to deal with the pinched electricity supply," said Zhao.

In the coming five years, China will focus on the residential buildings and public places including shopping malls, hotels and stadiums to promote energy-efficient lighting products.

(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2005)