South China's economic powerhouse of Guangdong Province will see a shortage as big as 4 million kw in power supply in the first half of this year, a local official said Wednesday.

Chen Shanru, director of the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, made the remarks while delivering a report to the on-going fourth session of the 10th Guangdong Provincial People's Congress.

"The tension in coal, power and oil supply will remain the biggest restriction for the economic and social development in Guangdong this year," Chen said.

To ease the shortage, Guangdong plans to input 27.5 billion yuan (US$3.4 billion) for 22 energy projects, Chen said.

In addition, the province will continue to develop and exploit regenerative energies like wind and solar power, Chen added.

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2006)