A southwest Chinese province extends industrial power cuts as record-breaking heat waves and drought deplete water levels of the Yangtze River and dwindle hydropower output, hurting the auto industry as factories in the region shut down.
Sichuan Province on Aug. 21 activated the highest level of emergency response, with officials highlighting the “extremely outstanding” power shortages.
“Since July, the province has faced a grim situation caused by the most extreme high temperatures, the lowest rainfall in the corresponding period in history, and the highest power load in history,” the authorities said in a statement.
Power Rationing
Officials have extended the order of curbing power supplies to factories until Aug. 25, according to financial news service Caixin and a company filing. Pesticide producer Lier Chemical Co., Ltd. said through the stock exchange on Aug. 22 that its facilities in Sichuan received a notice to extend curbs until Thursday….