Shanghai began rationing electricity for industrial use on Wednesday as part of a plan to help narrow the gap between demand and supply during the hot summer months.

Shanghai government officials said all industrial operations could face possible shutdowns during the hottest weeks, from mid-July through the end of August, and that thousands were likely to suspend production or shift output from morning to night.

The city faces a potential peak demand of 19 million kilowatts, about 2 million kilowatts more than the power grid is equipped to handle, the Shanghai Daily reported.

Many cities across China face similar problems as demand for power from booming industries competes with rising electricity consumption by millions of air conditioners. Coal shortages used to fuel power plants have added to the problem.

Shanghai recently added five new generators, boosting its power generating capacity by 1 million kilowatts to 11.4 million kilowatts. The city will also buy about 6 million kilowatts of power from other provinces.

Last year, Shanghai reduced outdoor lighting and ordered air conditioners in public venues such as shopping malls to be adjusted to a balmy 26 degrees Celsius.

(Shenzhen Daily June 15, 2005)