Two mega-kilowatt "ultra-supercritical" thermal power generators went into official operation in east China's Shandong Province on Thursday.

Severe pollution created by its coal-fired power plants has pressed the Chinese government to adopt the new technology to increase the efficiency of coal burning by reducing emissions and conserving energy.

"Ultra-supercritical" generators use coal-fired boilers to heat water so that it evaporates, building up steam pressure to a very high level to maximize power-generating efficiency.

Over 70 percent of the equipment used in the new generating units was developed by China, according to China Huadian Corp, one of the nation's biggest power giants.

The company said the units performed well during their 168-hour trial operation in Zouxian Power Plant in Shandong's Zoucheng city, consuming 270 grams of coal per kilowatt-hour, 70 grams lower than the national average and each capable of saving 990,000 tons of coal annually.

Statistics from the National Development and Reform Commission show that China has a total installed capacity of 650 million kilowatts, 80 percent of which is generated by thermal power.

The ultra-supercritical thermal power generation is expected to save China 200 million tons of coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 540 million tons a year.

A further 34 sets of ultra-supercritical thermal power generating units are under construction in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2007)