The electricity consumption in China amounted to 650.5 billion kwh in the first four months this year, up 16.1 percent year-on-year, according to the State Electric Power Regulatory Commission Thursday.

Statistics show that the first industry consumed 16.82 billion kwh from January to April, 2.92 percent more than that of the sameperiod of 2003. The second industry used up 487.4 billion kwh, 18.25 percent higher, and the consumption of the tertiary industry rose by 12.98 percent to 73 billion kwh.

Electricity used by rural and urban residents in daily life also jumped by 9.15 percent to 73.3 billion kwh.

Meanwhile, the commission reported that the total electrical power generation rose by 15.8 percent year-on-year to reach 647.3 billion kwh in the first four months, among which thermal power accounted for about 86.7 percent, hydropower took up over 10.5 percent and nuclear power occupied the rest.

Shi Yubo, vice president of the commission, said 24 provincial and regional power grids were forced into blackouts in the first quarter, and the power shortage problem still loomed large after entering April.

Pressed by climbing demands, power generation sets nationwide were running at full capacity, which might threaten operating security, Shi said.

In addition, the commission also reported 65 grid-related accidents from January to April and five deaths from accidents.

Shi said the increasingly rampant theft and damage of power facilities have become major factors influencing the secure operation of power grids, and called for further improved supervision of supply security and management of power generation.

Source: Xinhua