Beijing is to introduce differential seasonal electricity prices as of this year with the prices to go up 11 percent in peak hours in the third quarter, a move designed to ensure stable power supply.

According to the price adjustment plan approved by the State Development and Reform Commission, residents, government institutions, schools, armed forces, hospitals, subway and trolley companies and suppliers of water and natural gas will be exempt from the price change, the Beijing Star Daily reported Friday.

The paper quoted an official with the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission as saying power consumers affected by the move should reschedule their operation to lower their power costs and reduce power consumption in peak hours.

The Chinese capital used to be carefree about power supply, but may face a hard time this year. Much of the Chinese mainland already faces power shortage well before the power consumption peaks in summer time.

Beijing vice mayor Zhang Mao warned Tuesday that the city, which has 59 percent of its power supply coming from other parts of the country, might impose brownouts this summer as power shortage worsens nationwide.