China's Hubei Province Starts Power Rationing on Coal Shortage

China's central province of Hubei started rationing electricity as power shortages worsen because of falling coal stockpiles and increased summer demand.

The provincial government has reduced power supplies to the local capital Wuhan by 34 percent, to the city of Huangshi by 31 percent, and to Huanggang by 16 percent, the Hubei economic commission said in a statement posted on its Web site.

Hubei authorities will ensure power supplies to households, agricultural users, hospitals, schools, banks and military agencies, it said. It will shut some high-energy consuming companies to curb demand, the provincial government said.