Central China's Henan Province has built Asia's biggest coal gas project amid efforts to provide cleaner energy and reduce pollution.

The second phase of the project started trial operation on Thursday, bringing daily gas output to three million cubic meters, said Chen Dangyi, deputy director of the provincial coal industry bureau.

The first phase facilities had produced 850 million cubic meters of coal gas since launching operations in February 2001, Chen said. Daily output is 1.2 million cubic meters.

The project will have a positive impact on the environment. It will reduce annual sulfur dioxide emissions by 76,250 tons and carbon dioxide emissions by 11,500 tons, Chen pointed out.

The project, located in the coal-rich city of Yima, involves a total investment of US$332.8 million.

Construction of the project started in 1997.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2006)