China's newly fomed State Power Grid Corporation is planning to link its separated power grids to create a national transmission network as early as 2005, the China Daily has reported. The company, created in the split up of the monopoly State Power Corporation last year, has said it is expecting to connect its northern and central grids during this year.
The fragmented grids have impeded transmission from the electricity abundant west and central regions of the country to the booming east, but linking them up will also help alleviate future shortages in the world's second largest power market. Demand is expected to rise 8.8 per cent to 1780 GWh this year, then to 2000 GWh in 2005 and 2700 GWh in 2010.
In Shanghai the municipal government is to invest 3.68 billion yuan (US$445 million) to upgrade its power grid this year, according to its deputy-mayor. Tang Dengjie announced during a recent electricity conference that Shanghai plans to build a world-class power grid to ensure the city's social and economic development.
Shanghai's demand for electricity will continue to grow in 2003.The power load for this summer's peak season is expected to reach 13.5 GW, a year-on-year rise of 9.3 percent. As the city's generation capacity remains at 8.3 GW, there would be a shortfall of 1.08 GW, forcing Shanghai to buy electricity from other regions.
The city electricity company has begun drawing up a set of new regulations on the use of electricity to help guarantee supplies.
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