Conservation plan launched to save power
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-07 15:27

The Shanghai Economic Commission and seven other government departments launched a weeklong energy conservation promotion yesterday in an effort to prevent severe power shortages this summer.

In order to limit power usage in the city during peak hours this summer, factories will be encouraged to shift production schedules to overnight and the city will put a halt on preferential electricity charges previously offered to some industries.

The city will also educate residents and office building managers about ways to save energy.

"Insufficient energy supply and power shortages have become a bottleneck for the city's rapid development," city Vice-Mayor Hu Yanzhao said yesterday.

"The economical and efficient use of energy is urgent not only to battle the current shortages, but also to achieve a sustainable economic and social development eventually, as well as to enhance the city's industries' international competitiveness."

Thousands of companies were forced to shift their production to weekends or night hours to avoid peak hours last summer. Intentional cutoffs of power supply were also enforced at times to relieve the overloaded grid and avoid blackouts.

The demand for power this summer is expected to rise by 10 to 15 percent from last year. The city could face a shortage of up to 4 million kilowatts this summer in the event of a prolonged heat wave, power authorities estimated.

To raise local residents' awareness of energy conservation, 300 posters on energy conservation will be posted on downtown telephone booths. The city's major TV channels will run energy conservation advertisements for free starting this week.

A hot line (6378-3333) has been set up to offer advice on energy saving methods and receive reports on wasteful use of energy.

Government offices, shopping malls, office buildings, hotels and high-grade entertainment venues have been told to set their air conditioners above 26 degrees this summer.

Companies producing calcium carbide and ferroalloy will not be given preferential electricity charges, which were offered in the past to encourage production in important industries, said Chen Qing from the Shanghai Economic Commission.

Enterprises and factories will shift their working schedule to get more days off when the mercury tops 35 degrees, and have one extra day of work when temperatures are cooler, officials said.

As the big power consumers, local industries are also advised to find various ways to contribute to a more efficient use of energy.

Officials from the Shanghai Economic Commission have worked out criteria on energy consumption in different industries as a guide to judge whether a factory or an industry in the city wastes resources.

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