China Braces For Summer Power Shortages  

China is anticipating more grid problems this summer.

China saw an acute tension between electricity supply and demand last year with some regions even experiencing power outages and supply restrictions at peak times. With the arrival of summer - when power usage peaks due to air conditioner use - whether China can ensure a secure, stable and reliable power supply has become a major focus for both the central government and society as a whole.

Shi Yubo, vice chairman of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, China's electricity watchdog, promised that authorities will endeavor to meet this year's peak power demand. But he added that, based on the overall situation, electricity would remain in short supply nationwide during the summer peak. However, the shortages are expected to be less acute than last year and the adequacy of major power grids should improve.

Shi said the electricity consumption of air conditioners is an important factor contributing to the summer power use peak. The shortages in south China are exacerbated during the summer because higher temperatures there encourage greater use of air conditioners, which has been growing rapidly along with greater affluence in recent years.

Furthermore, as China boasts a hydropower capacity of nearly 100 million kW, the adverse water supply in recent years has affected the national power generating capacity to some extent. China will try its best to ensure power supply during the summer peak time by enhancing power supply security, improving demand-side management, by avoiding and staggering peak times as the preferred measures, increasing the frequency and magnitude of electricity transactions across regions and provinces to optimize the allocation of electricity resources, and strengthening supervision to maintain "proper order" in the electricity market, said Shi.