Crackdown on new power plants

China is to re-examine new power station projects across the country and shut down any that are likely to be excessive polluters or place an unnecessary burden on resources, state media reported. According to the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) plants with a total generation capacity of 280m kw are currently under construction. However, a source at the State Power Grid told Xinhua that up to half of the new plants do not have proper central government approval. The source said a frenzy of power plant construction was triggered by power shortages earlier this year, but many local governments and businesses had not obtained formal approval for the plants. Ma Kai, minister in charge of SDRC, said unregulated construction of power plants would increase pollution, worsen resource shortages and break China's overall power supply plan.