China’s electricity consumption exceeded 1 trillion kilowatt-hours for two consecutive months for the first time ever this summer, driven by searing temperatures and a steady economic recovery, reports Caixin. According to a National Energy Administration report released Oct. 31, power usage across society hit 1.0089 trillion kilowatt-hours in July and 1.0154 trillion kilowatt-hours in August—setting new global records. The surge came during China’s hottest summer since complete meteorological records began in 1961, with an average temperature of 22.3 degrees Celsius (72.1 degrees Fahrenheit), the China Meteorological Administration said.
The China Electricity Council attributed the surge primarily to increased residential cooling demand, with household electricity consumption rising 18% year-on-year in July. This alone accounted for more than 40% of the total growth in electricity usage across the two-month span.
The record-breaking consumption underscores the mounting strain on China’s power grid from extreme weather events, even as it reflects the resilience of a recovering economy. It also signals a structural shift in the country’s energy profile, with renewables playing a larger role in meeting peak demand and advancing decarbonization goals.