China's electricity industry should adjust its structure which
relies heavily on lavish coal consumption and causes heavy
pollution, a political advisor said Wednesday.
Zhao Xizheng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said that
thermal power plants generate 72 percent of China's total
electricity and hydropower plants 25 percent, while power houses
using new energy sources, including nuclear power, only produce
about 3 percent.
"China now has too many small thermal power plants that over-
consume coal and lead to severe pollution," said Zhao, chairman of
China Electricity Council.
The coal used by domestic power companies to produce one kwh of
electricity is usually 50 grams more than that by their foreign
counterparts, he said, adding that there is also a severe power
waste along the transmission.
He urged the electricity industry to take effective measures to
save energies and called for the government to prioritize the
development of energy-effective and low-polluting large thermal
power plants via legislation and macro-control measures.
The National Development and Reform Commission has set a goal to
close down small thermal power plants so as to improve environment,
enhance efficiency and save energy resources, he said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2007)