Two mega-kilowatt "ultra-supercritical" thermal power generators went into official operation in east China's Shandong Province on Thursday.

This new technology was inspired by a Chinese government drive to increase the efficiency of coal burning by reducing emissions and conserving energy.

"Ultra-supercritical" generators use coal-fired boilers to heat water so that it evaporates, causing high steam pressure which guarantees maximum power-generating efficiency.

China Huadian Corp, one of the nation's biggest power companies, related that the units had performed well in their initial 168-hour trial operation in Zouxian Power Plant in Shandong's Zoucheng City. They consumes 270 grams of coal per kilowatt-hour, 70 grams lower than the national average, making them capable of saving 990,000 tons of coal annually.

Statistics from the National Development and Reform Commission estimate that China's total installed capacity is 650 million kilowatts, 80 percent of which comes from thermal power.

Ultra-supercritical thermal power generation should save as many as 200 million tons of coal a year and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 540 million tons.

Nationwide, 34 more sets of ultra-supercritical thermal power generating units are currently being built.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2007)