It is reported that central province Hunan has ordered all local ferroalloy plants to shut down for at least two weeks starting on May 1st 2011 due to power shortages. However, producers predict the suspension period to last longer considering the province’s grave power supply.

It's believed that most chromium and manganese producers have halted production while business at some lead and Zink plants remains uninterrupted so far.

Hunan’s demand is 280 million KWh per day of power, but supply stands at just 200 million KWh per day, leading to an 80 million KWh per day gap. The province’s major thermal power plants are running a stock of less than 0.6 million tonnes, with 7GW or 49% of the total 14.17GW closed on lack of fuel.

Meanwhile, just 2.2GW or 23% of Hunan's hydro units are operating as water levels post a 60% to 70% decrease from normal years.

(Sourced from China Coal Times)