China has cancelled all preferential power tariffs for energy-intensive companies directed by local governments in 22 provinces. The National Development and Reform Commission said today that the cancellations worth 2.22 billion dollar in power charges, will strengthen China's efforts to save energy, reduce emissions and shut down out-dated capacity. Beijing had in May ordered local governments and power suppliers to stop offering favourable power prices to energy-intensive companies including aluminum, ferroalloy and calcium carbide makers. It also raised power surcharges for energy-guzzling and polluting industries, as the government was alarmed by the rise in energy intensity in the first quarter of this year.