China's electricity industry should adjust its structure which relies heavily on lavish coal consumption and causes heavy pollution, a political advisor said Wednesday.

Zhao Xizheng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said that thermal power plants generate 72 percent of China's total electricity and hydropower plants 25 percent, while power houses using new energy sources, including nuclear power, only produce about 3 percent.

"China now has too many small thermal power plants that over-consume coal and lead to severe pollution," said Zhao, chairman of China Electricity Council.

The coal used by domestic power companies to produce one kwh of electricity is usually 50 grams more than that by their foreign counterparts, he said, adding that there is also a severe power waste along the transmission.

He urged the electricity industry to take effective measures to save energies and called for the government to prioritize the development of energy-effective and low-polluting large thermal power plants via legislation and macro-control measures.

The National Development and Reform Commission has set a goal to close down small thermal power plants so as to improve environment, enhance efficiency and save energy resources, he said. 

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2007)