Six transformer sub-stations were shut down and five power plants were disconnected from the power grid after a major earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Monday, the State Grid said.

But the company's main grid was stable and electricity supply was gradually recovering, said a statement from the State Grid.

All local branches were gearing up to repair damaged facilities, it said.

The supply to the Sichuan grid was reduced by 4 million kilovolts after a 500-KV and five 220-KV transformer substations in Sichuan were affected along with five power plants in western Sichuan.

A series of aftershocks had made it difficult to contact these sites for detailed damage reports, the statement said.

Meanwhile, two 220-KV transformer sub-stations and three power plants in neighboring northwestern Shaanxi Province were also shutdown, reducing the load by 1.5 million KV.

The quake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, jolted Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province at 2:28 p.m. Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2008)