Factory-rich provinces thirst for electricity

SHANGHAI - East China's industry-heavy Zhejiang province is feeling drained as it grapples with strong demand and a resulting shortage of power that insiders say may be the worst since 2004.

Dai Yan, deputy director of the electricity dispatching center at the Zhejiang branch of the National Grid, said the province is facing severe shortages. Dai said Zhejiang has been buying electricity from neighboring provinces since the start of the year to quench its thirst.

"The demand for electricity intensified after Spring Festival and the shortage has been about 2 to 3 million kilowatts each day," Dai was quoted as saying by China National Radio. "We have bought all of the available electricity from other provinces."