Energy demand may ease

China's rapidly rising energy demand may ease off by 2018 when the nation is expected to have basically realized its industrialization and urbanization, according to a senior analyst.

Speaking to China Daily, Chen Jiagui, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also warned of a "severe energy supply shortage" China may encounter if this coal-dependent country fails to accelerate its exploration of coal reserves and other energy sources.

"We will encounter another decade of a tight energy supply-demand balance," Chen said.