China is scrambling to counter a widening power shortage in the northeast of the country as electricity outages have led to rationing of power at homes, shut down factories and malls, and hit manufacturing.
The outages, which began in factories, are worrying authorities ahead of winter when demand peaks as provinces switch on central heating.
Shortage of coal supply coupled with rising prices and tougher emission standards are said to be the primary reasons behind the power crunch.
Chinese state media reported that rationing of power in households in northeast China has sparked public anger and debates on social media about the country’s power supply and whether authorities are ready to face the sharp increase in demand during the long and harsh winter.
