TABLE-China's spreading power shortage by province

Published: 15 Jan 2010 02:24:46 PST

BEIJING, Jan 15 - The Chinese government is encouraging more coal and natural gas imports in an effort to increase the supply of energy and counter spreading power shortages across the country, state media said.

Regional power shortages are expected to continue through the first quarter on booming power demand, restricted rail transportation around the Lunar New Year holiday, rising coal costs and seasonal low hydropower supply. [ID:nTOE60E01B]

The following table shows regions that are either rationing power or have estimates on expected power shortages in areas covered by the local grid. The table will be updated when more figures are available.

All figures are in gigawatts. ---------------------------------------------------------------- REGIONAL RESTRICTED FORECAST PEAK DEMAND INSTALLED GRID POWER USE? SHORTAGE FORECAST ACTUAL CAPACITY ---------------------------------------------------------------- Central China Henan Yes 4.5 - - 41.8 Hubei Yes 4.0 44.0 Chongqing Yes 1.6 - 7.4 8.6 Jiangxi No - - 10.3 12.0 Hunan No - - 15.0 22.6 East China Zhejiang Yes 1.5 - 36.5 47.0 North China Shandong Yes 3.0 39.0 - 57.4 Shanxi Yes 2.5 17.0 - 42.0 South China Yunnan Yes 2.0 - 13.0 20.0 Guizhou Yes 2.0 - - 25.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Total 21.1

- Not available.

Note: capacity figures in some provinces exceeded local on-grid demand but still resulted in forecasts of shortfalls because some capacity is designated for outside users, or under-utilised because of coal shortages or low water stocks. Some generators are also undergoing maintenance or are not connected to the local grid.

Sources: local grids, governments, Chinese media.