State Grid Corp of China, the nation's biggest electricity distributor, said it sold eight thermal power plants to raise money to expand its overburdened network.

The utility and seven buyers signed contracts on December 23 to transfer 6,470 megawatts of power-generation assets, according to a statement yesterday on the State Electricity Regulatory Commission's website. The buyers are China Huaneng Group, China Datang Corp, China Huadian Corp, China Guodian Corp, China Power Investment Corp, Shenhua Group Corp and Hunan Xiangtou Holdings Group Co, according to the statement.

China is seeking funds to expand its power grid and generating capacity to help end four years of electricity shortages. Separating ownership of power plants from the network carrying the electricity will bring China nearer to international practices and improve the stability of supply.

"The plants were sold at a premium over the market price," the commission said, without giving a specific value.

Huaneng Group is the parent company of Hong Kong-listed Huaneng Power International Inc and China Datang is the parent of Datang International Power Generation Co, also listed in Hong Kong.