The Chinese government has scaled back its ambitious plans to eradicate coal-fired heating for this winter amid a shortage of gas.

Beijing had ordered the nation's northern provinces to convert from coal to cleaner fuel by the end of this year to reduce pollution.

However, in many places the transition had not been completed or gas supplies proved inadequate.

Millions have reportedly been left without proper heating.

China's Ministry of Environment had issued a statement telling the northern regions that have not finished converting to gas or electric heating may burn coal, the South China Morning Post reported.

"Keeping people warm in winter should be the number one principle," the statement said.

Separately the Chinese National Petroleum Corp said on Thursday that the country might face a shortage of gas if "extreme" cold weather hit the country.

As part of an ambitious plan to curb air pollution, the government started a coal-to-gas project that stretches across 28 provinces in the northern regions.

More than four million homes and thousands of factories have already set up gas-fired radiators, which has led to a surge of domestic gas prices to record highs since the start of the winter heating season in mid-November.

Source:
courtesy of BBC NEWS

by BBC NEWS

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