Beijingers to suffer hot days

The Beijing municipal government imposed rotating weeklong vacations in the last two years to reduce energy use.

"It is expected that 140,000 kilowatts will be transferred from peak hours to off hours this way," he said.

The maximum power load this summer is expected to reach 12.2 million kilowatts, an increase of 14.6 percent from last year, said Zhang Gong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Commission for Development and Reform.

The city could see an electricity shortfall of 500,000 kilowatts this summer, Zhang said, noting that more businesses and residents have installed air conditioners.

Beijing will raise the cost of electricity during peak hours in an attempt to ease pressure on the power supply, Zhang said. Beijing also plans to promote more efficient air conditioners, said Zhang.