China's electricity consumption up 6.1 pct in first two months of 2026

China's electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, grew 6.1 percent year on year in the first two months of 2026, according to data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Tuesday.

Data from the NEA revealed that China's total electricity consumption exceeded 1.65 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) from January to February.

By sector, electricity consumption in the primary industry rose 7.4 percent year on year. The secondary sector saw a 6.3 percent increase, driven largely by high-tech and equipment manufacturing industries, which recorded a robust 10.6 percent growth.

The tertiary sector consumed 8.3 percent more electricity compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, residential power use for both urban and rural residents increased by 2.7 percent.

As the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran enters its third week, Americans are feeling the economic fallout at the gas pump.

Prices have surged to their highest level in more than two years - and South Florida drivers are among the hardest hit.

Nationally, regular gasoline is averaging just under 3.72 U.S. dollars a gallon - up more than 70 cents since the joint strikes on Iran began February 28. That is the steepest single-month surge since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In Miami, prices jumped twenty-eight cents a gallon in the past week alone - nearly 88 cents higher than a month ago. It is spring break, and families on the road are absorbing some of the highest fuel costs in years.

"I cry every day. It's terrible. It's ridiculous. We deserve better, better attention about that. The war is causing so many problems, you know, who knows, maybe next week going to be six U.S. dollars a gallon," said Paulo Macedo, South Florida resident.

Macedo said he was paying 2.40 dollars a gallon just weeks ago but now he paid 3.69.

"Prices have gone high and it looks like they're going to keep on getting higher. People are going to have to make adjustments. It's bad enough that things are expensive already, so now, you know, we're dealing with the gas. So my heart is out with all those people that are struggling," said another South Florida resident named George Fernandez.

"We're powerless. It's crazy and it's going to go up. So I mean, it was getting gas today because I think tomorrow it'll be over four (U.S.) dollars," said Amy Buchman, who is also a resident of South Florida.

New offshore drilling plans are moving forward in Washington, but they won't bring quick relief at the pump. Emergency oil reserves released overseas won't reach U.S. markets until late March. And here in South Florida, drivers are likely to be paying these higher prices for at least a few more weeks.

Washington residents also voiced concern over soaring gasoline prices.

"They're all doubling, it's insane. I don't really think so. Because I mean all I've heard about the only reason that we have attacked them is because they've been two weeks away from nuclear war. But I mean they've been saying that for years. And they haven't ever really given evidence of it, so they just launched a preemptive strike with no authorization whatsoever as well. So I don't really think it's justified anyway," said a local resident.

International energy prices have been increasing sharply since the tensions escalated across the Middle East on Feb 28, when the United States and Israel launched large-scale joint airstrikes on Iran, creating uncertainty in the global economy.