【明報專訊】SINCE LATE LAST MONTH, there has been a large-scale shortage of electricity on the mainland, something unprecedented in decades. Eleven provinces have seen limitations of electric power supply. Some enterprises have had to suspend work, and residential buildings in the northeast have suffered power cuts. The main reason is that the relevant departments have inadequate forecasts of electricity consumption and coal prices. They have also failed to provide effective supervision and guidance for the production capacity of power supply departments and the supply of coal. All this has resulted in the supply being seriously outstripped by demand. Although the government has taken emergency measures, the crisis is not over. Remedial measures are not permanent solutions, and the mainland authorities should learn a lesson. They should reform electricity prices and improve the supervision and coordination mechanism.