Power companies preparing response to winter challenges

Electrical power companies are making emergency plans to meet rising demand, as a strong cold front is expected to roll across the nation in the coming days.

"Freezing weather boosts demand for electrical heating every year in winter, and we have prepared for the coming challenges," said Wang Hailong, deputy chief engineer at State Grid Heilongjiang Electricity Power Company in Harbin, one of the hardest-hit regions in northern China. "We conduct thorough inspections to power generating stations twice a month now - one more than usual - and make sure there will be enough workers at every station in case of an emergency."

Wang said a major challenge is the liquification of gas at low temperatures. Temperatures of-40 C is likely to cause malfunctions of gas devices, and they should be operated in insulated conditions.