Beijing has told local authorities not to cut power supplies in a last-ditch effort to meet a mandatory energy efficiency target, after widespread criticism of the blackouts.
Local governments in more than 20 provinces have been rationing power since July, affecting not only steel mills, cement plants and other high-emission industries, but also homes and hospitals.
Citing concerns about the adverse impact on people's living conditions and social stability, the National Development and Reform Commission issued an urgent circular last week saying that blackouts were not the right way to cut emissions and energy waste, Xinhua reported. 'Sweeping power cuts have disrupted normal life and had negative social impact,' it said.
The blackouts have been widely criticised and have sparked a debate on the mainland over the practicality of the energy efficiency target.
Beijing promised in 2006, as part of a five-year plan, to reduce energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product by 20 per cent by the end of this year.
But the ambitious campaign has suffered setbacks, with energy efficiency declining and energy-intensive industries growing in the first six months of this year.