Power Transmission Towers At State Highway In Northwest China

GOLMUD, CHINA - AUGUST 22: (CHINA OUT) Power transmission towers are seen at the No. 109 State Highway on August 22, 2005 in Golmud of Qinghai Province, northwest China. According to state media, China began facing power shortages three years ago, when the economy stepped out of deflation, increasing demand for power. In 2004, despite that national power generation being up 14.9 per cent over 2003, the country suffered its most serious power shortages, with 24 affected provinces and regions. Experts estimate that by 2020, the expanding national economy will guzzle 2.6 times the current power use. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)