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A cold wave sweeping across large regions of the country since Saturday has forced some provinces to ration electricity for industrial use. But State power company officials promised yesterday that supplies to residents across those regions would not be affected.

"Even under extreme circumstances, we will ensure the residential electricity supply, which is always the top priority," said a spokesperson for the Shanghai grid, a major branch of the East China grid.

Regions across east and central China have resorted to rationing power to industry during the icy weather that has pushed up energy demand while also disrupting coal transportation.

In early 2008, 7 percent of the coal-fired power generation capacity was shut because severe snowstorms cut transportation of the fuel, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.

Coal-based thermal power plants generate about 90 percent of the country's electricity supply.

Questions:

1. Are residential customers having their power cut off, too?

2. In what regions is most of the power being rationed?

3. How much does China depend on coal for its electricity?

Answers:

1. Only industrial customers are subject to rationing at this point. Officials say it is top priority to keep electricity power going to residential customers.

2. Regions across east and central China have resorted to rationing power to industry in recent days.

3. Coal-based thermal power plants generate about 90 percent of China’s electricity supply.

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（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Renee Haines is an editor and broadcaster at China Daily. Renee has more than 15 years of experience as a newspaper editor, radio station anchor and news director, news-wire service reporter and bureau chief, magazine writer, book editor and website consultant. She came to China from the United States.