Power control apparatus and power control method for internal combustion engines

A power control apparatus of an internal combustion engine that is connected to a transmission through an automatic clutch. When the transmission shifts gears, the automatic clutch selectively connects and disconnects the internal combustion engine and the transmission to and from each other. The power control apparatus executes power control of the internal combustion engine to meet various power demands. The power control of the internal combustion engine includes gear shifting power control for achieving power to meet a power demand when the transmission shifts gears, and normal power control for achieving power to meet a power demand reflecting factors including non-gear shifting factors. The power control apparatus has an engine control computer. When the transmission shifts gears, the engine control computer gives priority to the execution of the gear shifting power control over the normal power control.