(Repeats earlier story with no change in text)

* China exporting record amounts of aluminium

* Surge has already caused trade friction

* Cuts in power prices to help struggling smelters

By Melanie Burton

MELBOURNE, Oct 30 (Reuters) - China is likely to sell more aluminium onto world markets by offering its struggling smelters cheaper power prices to keep them operating, adding to growing trade tensions with rival producers in countries such as the United States and Russia.

The world's top aluminium producer is making far more than it needs with record amounts of the metal being exported, adding to a global glut that has sent prices to six-year lows.

The surge in shipments is already triggering calls for action to stem the flow in some countries and risks creating similar anger that soaring Chinese steel sales have caused.

China exported a record 3.1 million tonnes of semi-manufactured aluminium products in the first 9 months of the year, even with a dip in the third quarter when weaker global prices made exporting less attractive.

"As the price differential becomes attractive for exports, it's that much easier to hit the 'go' button and start exporting again," said analyst Paul Adkins of consultancy AZ China, noting recent falls in local prices would reinvigorate Chinese exports.

Illustrating growing export tensions, the U.S. extruders council last week referred China's second-biggest aluminium extruder to U.S. regulators after accusing it of evading import duties. China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd denied the accusation.

Top producer Rusal has also petitioned for the issue to be brought in front of the world's top customs body.

RECORD LOWS

A source at a global trading house in Singapore said with the Chinese market flooded there was pressure to export and this would heat up competition with global producers like Alcoa and Norsk Hydro s.

Chinese aluminium prices have hit successive record lows for most of October, and are down more than 20 percent this year approaching 10,000 yuan ($1,578) a tonne. Global prices are $1,475 a tonne.

The falls have come after China said it planned to cut wholesale prices of electricity for the second time this year, a move that would cut production costs for aluminium producers further.

AZ China estimates average monthly aluminium production costs at at least a five-year low around 13,000 yuan a tonne, as power, carbon and alumina costs fall.

Production has been slow to shut as some integrated producers make profits in other areas, and local governments offer subsidies to shore up jobs and economic growth.