Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in north China on Saturday used dynamite to demolish two small coal-fired power generating units that had been in service for 31 years on Saturday.

Hao Linhai, vice chairman of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Government, set the charge that toppled the power plant's 100-meter-tall chimney.

The two generating units are the first of many coal-fired power plants that Ningxia plans to close before the turn of the decade.

Closure of the two generating units at Zhongning Power Plant, near the middle reaches of the Yellow River, will eliminate 5,100 tons in emission of sulfur dioxide and save 100,000 tons of coal and an extra 3 million cubic meters of water. Two new, large generating units which are more efficient and burn cleaner coal will replace the old ones, said an official from the regional commission.

China has been building large-capacity coal-fired power plants to save energy and reduce emissions.

Small coal-fired power plants that produced a total of 10 million kw will be closed this year.

Source: Xinhua