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Last Updated: Thursday, 29 July, 2004, 14:39 GMT 15:39 UK
China tackles energy shortages
By Louisa Lim
BBC correspondent in Beijing

A power station on the outskirts of Beijing (29/07/04)
The energy crisis is making headlines in China
China has ordered emergency shipping of coal along its road and waterways as it faces its most serious power shortages since the 1980s.

Shipments will target the areas worst hit by power shortages in the wealthier south and east of the country.

China's industrial boom means demand is far outstripping supply.

Premier Wen Jiabao has been calling for an all-out effort to ease the problem, including cutting off power to polluting companies.

Already a host of energy-saving measures is in place.

These include power-cuts, street lights being switched off, and factories ordered to stop production or switch to off-peak hours.

Workers in hotels have been asked to turn down the air conditioning and avoid using the lifts.

Official figures forecast a shortfall of 30m kilowatts this year - the biggest ever.

In order to build capacity, China has been investing heavily in new power plants.

But with more than 90 new coal-fired power plants in the pipeline, there has been criticism that this could exacerbate the country's air pollution problems.


SEE ALSO:
Beijing 'brown-out' to save power
22 Jul 04  |  Asia-Pacific
Shanghai firms to work at night
18 Jul 04  |  Business
China's energy supply 'dwindling'
20 May 04  |  Business
China's Wen stresses growth curbs
14 Jun 04  |  Business
China orders utility price freeze
10 May 04  |  Business


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