He said large power plants may be more efficient and better for the environment, but major cities need their own plants to ensure supplies in the event of an emergency.

Cities should be able to support themselves, at least temporarily, if the power supply is disrupted, he said.

Lu said the country's current electricity supply remains stable.

"The supply is enough to meet the demand, although it tends to be tight," he said.

He said that by next month, the amount of power in circulation will increase because power stations in the south will resume normal operations.

(China Daily March 5, 2008)