Power glut by 2006

China's construction of power stations could lead to overcapacity in some areas late next year, which should ease regular power cuts suffered by businesses, the Financial Times reported citing a senior government official. Zhang Guobao, a vice-minister at the national development and reform commission, China's leading economic planning body, reportedly said the power shortages experienced by foreign and local businesses would "disappear in most places". He added there may be an oversupply of power in some areas in the second half of next year. China will add an additional 70,000mw of new capacity this year, an amount almost equivalent to the UK's entire existing power generating capacity, with similar increases due in 2006 and 2007, the report said.