Heavy energy users will have their names published if they fail to keep consumption at reasonable levels. They may even face higher prices or a restricted supply, according to a new rule aimed at improving energy use efficiency.

The rules affect industrial firms and commercial enterprises, not residential users.

Further details of the new policy will be released later.

Heavy users will also have energy use monitored and will need to report consumption figures to authorities.

The package of measures will help reduce the growth of energy consumption and sustain the economy, said Zhou Yupeng, vice mayor of Shanghai, yesterday.

Zhou said low energy prices don't encourage conservation.

The government has listed more than 800 state-owned enterprises, each of which consumes at least 5,000 tons of coal a year, to be inspected. Authorities did not say how often the SOEs would be inspected. Together they account for about 70 percent of the city's energy consumption.

Baosteel's Vice General Manager Li Haiping said: "Energy conservation is an everlasting aim of our company. It can reduce our costs."

(Shanghai Daily May 11, 2006)