Effort underway to handle power disruptions

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-28-2008 13:24

A huge effort is underway to handle the severe power disruptions caused by winter storms across China and especially in its southern regions. Resources are being redistributed to ensure electricity supplies reach those who most need it.

The Ministry of Communications ordered transport companies in southern areas to temporarily halt delivery of coal export and divert the shipments to domestic thermal power plants, if needed.

Mid-January's heavy snowfall is the worst in 50 years in central, eastern and southern areas of China. It caused power cuts and blackouts in 17 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. Power grids in central China's Hubei, Hunan provinces and south China's Guizhou and Guangdong provinces have been seriously damaged.

As of January 26th, there were still 18 transmission lines out of service in central China's power grid. A transmission tower in Guizhou collapsed under heavy snow and the network has been largely destroyed.

Tens of thousands of passengers were stranded as downed power lines brought trains to a standstill. Conditions worsened to where the normal operation of the national economy and people's lives were affected.

The National Development and Reform Commission urged local governments to improve power supply plans. In areas already hit by power shortages, high-polluting and over-producing enterprises must have their power strictly limited, and ordinary industrial enterprises should reduce their consumption. The needs of homes, hospitals, schools, railways, TV and radio broadcasters, financial systems and other work units concerning the public interest and national security are being given priority.

The Ministry of Railways raised daily coal transport capacity from 34,000 rail trucks to 36,000 to help fuel coal fired power plants. The ministry has urged railways to cooperate with coal companies to guarantee unlimited movement of coal.

The Ministry of Communications also ordered transport companies in southern areas to temporarily halt delivery of coal export and divert the shipments to domestic thermal power plants, if needed.

Editor:Zhang Ning