China to restructure National Energy Administration

BEIJING - China plans to restructure the National Energy Administration (NEA) in order to streamline administrative and regulatory system of the energy sector, according to a report delivered by State Councilor Ma Kai to the parliament's annual session on Sunday.

The new NEA will incorporate the functions of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Ma said in the report on the institutional reform of the State Council, or the Cabinet.

The State Electricity Regulatory Commission is to be dissolved, according to the State Councilor.

The main responsibilities of the consolidated administration include drafting and implementing energy development strategies, plans and policies, advising on energy system reform and regulating the sector, Ma said.

The planned restructuring aims at "further pushing forward the development and reform of the energy sector and enhancing its supervision and regulation," he added.

In the last round of government institutional reform in 2008, China established the NEA, which was under the jurisdiction of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The new administration will remain under the jurisdiction of the NDRC, which will focus on coordination between planning of the energy sector and that of the national economy and social development, Ma said.