Guangdong Province Expecting 6,500-Megawatt Shortage in 2008

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Through years of fast growth, Chinas total installed capacity surpassed 700 million kilowatts in 2007. Power supply and demand has achieved an overall balance in China, with a surplus in some regions. However, the power-supply shortage in Guangdong, the economic hub of southern China, is estimated to grow to 6,500 megawatts (MW), according to officials at the provincial economic and trade conference held on January 8, 2008, in Guangzhou by the Economic and Trade Commission (ETC) of Guangdong Province.

Based on the current economic growth, the growth in social power consumption in Guangdong is expected to be more than 13% in 2008, and the increase of power demand in the summer will be about 7,500 MW. Under normal conditions, the power shortage is expected to be more than 6,500 MW, and the electricity shortage will reach 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours, said an ETC official.

Considering uncertain factors, such as temporary outages, shortages or rises in fuel-supply price, Guangdong's actual power shortage may be even bigger in 2008, said an official with at China's southern power grid.

Guangdong is taking steps in anticipation of the power shortage, the ETC said. The province will utilize the full potential of existing generating units, attempt to gain more power supply from southwestern China and the Three Gorges Project, and increase the power procurement from Hong Kong. The province will also enhance its regulations on energy-intensive industries and enterprises, and further promote the construction of efficient power plants.

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