China's primary energy production reached approximately 1.85 billion tons equivalent of standard coal in 2004, up about 15 percent over the previous year, according to China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

"Despite the high growth rate, there remained tension in energysupply last year. It's very unusual," said Wu Guihui, deputy director of NDRC's energy bureau, quoted by the Beijing-based Economic Daily.

According to preliminary statistics released by the commission,China's output of coal rose 17.34 percent to 1.96 billion tons; output of electricity rose 14.8 percent to 21.9 trillion kwh; petroleum rose 2.9 percent to 175 million tons and output of natural gas rose 18.5 percent to 40.8 billion cubic meters.

The commission reveals construction of new energy projects alsopicked up speed. Construction of new coal production projects involving a combined annual production capacity of 80 million tons started in 2004. A number of new power plants also received approval to start construction.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2005)