High temperatures and the accompanying increase in use of air
conditioners?are resulting in record power consumption in
Beijing, as well as in south China's Guangdong
Province.
The capital's power consumption reached 10.59 million kilowatts
at 4:24 PM yesterday, setting a record for the city and nearing
safety limits, said an official from Beijing Electric Power
Corporation.
Beijing has raised its yellow warning signal for power safety
limits for a second time this year -- the first was on July 5 when
consumption totaled 10.01 million kilowatts.
??
The official predicted that consumption would rise to 10.75 million
kilowatts today, and an emergency plan will be initiated for
businesses to work in rotation, expected to cut consumption by
350,000 kilowatts.
Vice Mayor Zhang Mao said 10.60 million kilowatts is the ceiling
for the municipality, above which the operation of the power grids
would become unsteady.
??
With temperatures frequently topping 38 degrees Celsius since June,
energy consumption has been pushed to new highs as more air
conditioners are used, accounting for one third of total energy
consumption.
Meanwhile, Guangdong is experiencing its hottest weather of the
year, with temperatures reaching more than 40.3 degrees Celsius in
Yangshan, a county in the north of the province.
?
The provincial observatory warned that Guangdong has entered its
hottest summer, and is urging local residents to take measures to
protect themselves.
Supply on the provincial electricity grid has climbed to more
than 44 million kilowatts, reaching full capacity in the past
week.
(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily July 21, 2005)