Beijing braces for summer power shortages
By Xiao Liu (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-06-08 10:35

Anticipating a shortfall of electricity this summer, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform started to turn off air-conditioners in its office building between 6 pm and 7 am starting this month.

Though the move may be seen by some as simply a symbolic gesture, the commission is deadset on reminding people in the capital of worsening power shortages hitting the area as hotter weather approaches.

In previous summers, air-conditioning has remained on in the commission office building around the clock.

But an official said that the seriousness of the situation demands a change.

Demand peak for electricity this summer is predicted to be 15 per cent greater than last year.

That means that electricity use will be more this year than ever before, the commission predicts.

Officials have proposed that at least 23 star-graded hotels in Beijing, which may serve the 2008 Olympic Games, set standard room temperature at 23 C instead of 22. Such an adjustment is believed to ensure comfort for guests while allowing for reasonable energy usage.

This proposed action is in response to an appeal from the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad to be a "green" event.

It is predicted that when temperature of all air conditioner thermostats are increased by 1 degree centigrade,as much as 320 million kilowatt-hours will be saved throughout the city.

The temperature of air conditioners in most public places in Beijing are set at 22 C. People are beginning to indicate that temperatures between 24 and 28 C might be just as comfortable.

Air conditioners suck up 40 per cent of the total electricity consumption in the city in summer.

In order to lower electricity consumption by local residents, the price of electricity used by industry, commerce and hotels is expected to be increased beginning this month through August.

The plan has been submitted to the State Development and Planning Commission for approval, sources with the Beijing municipal government said.

The exact level of the increase has not yet been announced.

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