Ma Kai, director of National Development & Reform Commission, said on Apr. 28 that the shortage of electricity supply will be slightly eased this year. However, the overall situation of power supply nationwide is still tense with the largest electricity shortage to total 250 billion KW.

Speaking at the TV & Telephone Conference on Electricity Side Management and Power Supply 2005, Ma noted that fewer regions will suffer blackout this year, but the power supply will still be short in east, south and north China. The efficient guarantee of power supply will top the agenda of this year's national economic work.

Ma further added that in light of the positive results achieved through macro control, the excessive growth of the fixed assets investment has been effectively brought under control. However, many problems such as China's unreasonable economic structure and extensive growth pattern have not been settled once and for all, and the demand on power supply is still strong.

By People's Daily Online