Freezing weather across large parts of the country has sharply raised demand for coal, but also severely hit road and rail supplies.

The number of train cars carrying coal to the nation's power plants has been raised to 36,000 a day, about 28 percent more than the same period last year, the China Daily quoted the Railway Ministry as saying. The report called the amount a new record.

The move was just one in a series of urgent nationwide steps to keep coal -- the source of about three-quarters of China's energy -- flowing from mines to electricity generators amid the worst power shortfall in years.

The supply of coal for power generation had fallen to 21 million tonnes, less than half the normal levels at this time of year, a government official said Monday.

State media reported last week that such levels meant China had only about a week's supply of the fuel.

The shortfall has been caused by a confluence of factors, including a spike in demand due to a deadly cold wave that has knocked out roads and rail lines, crimping coal distribution and hampering millions of travellers on their way home for the annual Lunar New Year holidays.

On Sunday, Premier Wen Jiabao ordered all levels of government to prioritise the supply of coal to power plants and eliminate all but the most vital electricity use.

"Due to the rain, snow and frost, plus increased winter use of coal and electricity and the peak travel season, the job of ensuring coal, electricity and oil supplies and adequate transportation has become quite severe," Wen said at a cabinet meeting.

"All government departments must prepare for this increasingly grim situation and urgently take action," Wen said.

The situation has been worsened by the closure of many illegal mines in a safety drive, earlier drought conditions that hit hydroelectric output and reduced coal output due to the holiday, the National Reform and Development Commission has said.

A government official said Monday that 17 provinces had adopted power-rationing measures, including deliberate blackouts known as brownouts.

Meanwhile, energy authorities insisted that despite the electricity crunch they would continue to shut down small coal-fired power stations in 2008 as part of efforts to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

China would target a 13 million kilowatt reduction in electricity produced by small coal-fire power plants in 2008, Xinhua said, citing the development commission.

The nation closed down 553 small thermal power generators in 2007, with a total capacity of 14.38 million kilowatts, or 44 percent above the annual goal, it said.

The State Council, or cabinet, has set the goal of shutting down 50 million kilowatts of thermal power capacity between 2006 and 2010, it said.

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