Beijing may limit power use this summer
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2004-06-09 14:30

A Beijing official warned that the capital city might have to periodically cut off power supply to some areas this summer due to a sharp rise in demands and shortage in electricity supply. 

Vice-Mayor Zhang Mao said on Tuesday the peak demand for electricity is expected to top 9.5 million kilowatts, a rise of 14% over the same period last year, putting Beijing on the verge of power shortage.

Beijing largely depends on surrounding provinces for its electricity supply. In the city, 59% of electricity is generated in and supplied by other provinces and cities. In the past years, Zhang said, other provinces and cities cut down their own electricity supplies to guarantee an adequate power for Beijing. Last year, 16 provinces and cities were so affected, and the number will expand to 24 this year.

In such a grave situation, Beijing also needs to contribute in saving energy, Zhang said, warning that the city may have to limit electricity usage this year.

Although no specific measures for electricity use restrictions have been worked out, Zhang assured that normal life of local residents should not be affected by the measures, indicating industries and other sectors might be affected.

Anticipating a shortfall of electricity this summer, Beijing will adopt a seasonal electricity price change for the first time to cut down electricity consumption at peak hours.

Sources with the Beijing municipal government said electricity price will be stratified in different periods a day. The price in low-usage hours (11pm-7am) will be decreased by around 20% while prices in normal hours (7am to 8am and 11am to 6pm) and peak hours (8am to 11am and 6pm to 11pm) will be increased. The exact level of the increase has not yet been announced.

However, electricity prices in nine areas, including local residents, schools, armies, hospitals, railways, government departments, public transport, water supplies and gas supplies, will be excluded from the seasonal electricity price change.

The plan has been submitted to the State Development and Planning Commission for approval.

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