China has balanced demand and supply for electrical power, putting an end to the power shortages that held back large areas of the country for four years, said Chai Songyue, chairman of State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

 

According to Chai, up to 25 of the country's 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions reported electricity shortages in 2005, but the number dropped to two early this year.

 

This summer, a peak season for electricity consumption, only Zhejiang, Guangdong and Yunnan complained of power shortages.

 

Chai attributed the improvement to the double-digit growth in the country's electricity generation capacity over the past two years.

 

However, Zhang Guobao, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, warned seasonal and short-term power shortage may still occur despite the general supply-demand balance.

 

China's total electricity generation capacity exceeded 580 million kilowatts at the end of October, and is expected to reach 800 million kilowatts in 2010.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2006)