Some 757,000 brownouts affecting all 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities were imposed in the first half of this year, saving 19 million kilowatt-hours in electricity.

The State Power Grid Company reports that China may face the most severe power shortage since the 1980s this summer, with demand outstripping supply by a whopping 30 million kilowatts.

Electricity demand increased about 16 percent in the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year. Secondary industry has maintained the highest growth in power consumption, with an increase of nearly 18 percent in the first half.

(CRI.com July 19, 2004)