BEIJING - A power crunch caused by drought in China's southwestern province of Sichuan, the country's largest hydropower producer, has started to dwindle as power for ordinary industrial and commercial users has been restored, while that for large industrial users will be gradually restored, except for highly energy-intensive industries, state media reported on Sunday.
A long drought in the Yangtze basin has resulted in a crimped supply of electricity, leading to concerns that China could suffer another devastating power shortage.
State media said that demand is easing as the letup in temperatures has exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in many areas and has tempered a surge in air conditioner use.
Sichuan generates 30 per cent of China's hydroelectric power, which usually leads to a huge power surplus for the rest of the country.
After weeks of minimal rainfall and extreme heat, it is now receiving electricity from other provinces.